One more year! Bercow refuses to go

JOHN Bercow is planning to stay on as Speaker for another year to influence the course of Brexit, his friends claim.

The Remain voter is preparing to defy critics and stay in post until next summer, despite previously vowing to stand down after nine years in the role – which would be next week.

Sources close to the Speaker claimed that this was to ensure ‘parliamentary scrutiny’ of the Brexit Bill as it passes through the Commons. But the suggestion will infuriate his many Tory critics, who accuse him of trying to thwart Britain’s departure from the EU.

They continue to insist Mr Bercow, who is unashamed about his opposition to Britain leaving the EU, should step down. Andrew Bridgen said: ‘Given Bercow’s self-declared political views for remaining in the EU this is like letting a vampire loose in the blood bank. It is an affront to democracy and the 17.4million people who voted to leave the EU.’

James Duddridge said his ‘credibility is going to further erode every day that passes beyond June ’. He added: ‘Speaker Bercow has already proved himself not to be independent on Brexit. He is a vocal disruptor of all things Brexit against the will of the people.’

The Speaker will play a key role during the passage of Brexit legislation as he decides which amendments to call. That could give pro-EU MPs the chance to force votes on a second referendum.

A spokesman for his office said any announcement over the Speaker’s future would be ‘made to the House first’.