Heat on Bercow as bullying claim is backed by ex-black Rod
JOHN BERCOW was under mounting pressure last night as a former Black Rod became the latest official to accuse him of bullying behaviour, warning that his “intemperate” outbursts were “unworthy” of public office.
In the most damning attack on the Speaker to date, David Leakey accused him of being “genuinely intimidating”.
His account adds to a list of allegations against Mr Bercow, whose future was cast into doubt on Wednesday when Downing Street endorsed calls for him to be investigated.
Mr Leakey, a former British military commander who retired from his post last year, added that Mr Bercow “terrified” staff.
He spoke out after Angus Sinclair, the Speaker’s former private secretary, broke his silence – and the terms of an £86,000 departure settlement paid out of the public purse – when he alleged that Mr Bercow had frequently flown into rages and had verbally abused him.
The Speaker is already facing separate allegations that he bullied Kate Emms, Mr Sinclair’s successor, who was signed off work sick and later moved from his office in 2011.
Mr Leakey told the Politicshome website: “On one occasion he quite suddenly erupted in a rage, banging the table and being extremely and personally rude to me, including calling me an anti-semite.
“He did apologise to me for that specific remark afterwards, but not for his other highly personal insults, and it is intolerable.
“His rage erupted, as on a previous occasion, and the red mist suddenly descended: it was quite disproportionate and unreasonable by any standards.
“His explosive and intemperate behaviour is legendary, objectionable and unworthy of someone in such public office. There were lots of people who were, frankly, terrified of the Speaker.”
A spokesman for Mr Bercow said he rejected all allegations levelled by Mr Leakey and others, adding that the pair had clashed. “John Bercow and David Leakey are two very different people with very different backgrounds, perspectives and ideas,” the spokesman added. “They had fundamental disagreements in 2011 and 2012, but interacted adequately after that.”
A Conservative MP has told this newspaper that they have written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, asking that she use her powers to investigate Mr Bercow for potentially breaching the code of conduct.
The Telegraph has also learnt that Mr Sinclair’s five-figure settlement was signed off by Sir Malcolm Jack, the then Clerk of the House, who was responsible for spending taxpayers’ money.