Bercow faces university revolt over repeated claims of bullying

SENIOR figures, academics and students at the university at which John Bercow is chancellor have expressed concern over the mounting allegations levelled against him as Speaker of the House of Commons, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

Insiders at the University of Essex, including grandees, have taken issue with the Speaker’s alleged conduct towards former parliamentary staff.

One source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed that there was “widespread concern”.

Speaking to this newspaper, they said: “There’s genuine concern among the university’s academic staff about the disconnect between the University’s stated values and its chancellor’s recent conduct.

“I had very similar feedback this morning from a final-year Essex student

‘I think the number of allegations against him means that he should stand down as chancellor’

who said that such concerns were widespread over Essex students’ Facebook pages.

“She told me that there was concern among the student body … she was speaking from a female perspective and was particularly riled by the recent comments directed at Andrea Leadsom. She regarded it as beyond the pale.

“I just think that the number of bullying allegations against him, from some apparently very credible sources, means that he should stand down as chancellor or be asked to do so.”

Meanwhile, one of the university’s most senior grandees told The Telegraph that they were “worried” by allegations made by David Leakey, the former Black Rod, in Parliament.

A spokesman for the University of Essex declined to comment.

While the Speaker denies allegations of bullying, last week he was accused of calling Mrs Leadsom, the Leader of the House of Commons, a “stupid woman” and “f---ing useless”. The Speaker’s office did not deny the claims.