Harman ‘preparing bid to become second female Commons Speaker’

Harriet Harman is set to campaign to become Speaker of the House of Commons as John Bercow faces a fresh bid to oust him.

According to a national newspaper,theformerlabour deputy leader has told friends she is preparing to launch a bid after bullying claims were made against Bercow.

It was alleged last week that Kate Emms – Bercow’s private secretary from May 2010 to February 2011 – developed post-traumatic stress disorder after working for him. The Speaker has denied the claims. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen is to table a motion of no-confidence in the Speaker today.

James Duddridge, a Tory MP who has previously called for Bercow to go, said: “I have had discussions with a number of MPS about whether we refer the Speaker to the standards committee for bringing the house into disrepute and it is certainly something I shall give further thought to next week.

“It is wholly unsuitable for him to be in post while he is facing bullying allegations so I urge him to stand aside while the claims are investigated.”

If she were to succeed in her bid, Ms Harman would be the second female Speaker after Betty Boothroyd.

Labour MPS are reportedly considering whether or not to demand an urgent question into bullying in parliament this week. It also emerged over the weekend that a senior minister had witnessed Bercow launch a foul-mouthed tirade against a Commons clerk. A spokesman for Bercow said: “The Speaker has no intention of responding to this outrageous caricature of him nor commenting on and hence violating the privacy of those who have worked with him.”