Female MPs’ fury at Bercow over ‘stupid woman’ insult
Cross-party demand for apology
JOHN BERCOW faces a pincer movement from female MPs who will demand he apologise over his alleged ‘stupid woman’ jibe at a senior Tory Minister.
The Commons Speaker was challenged by women from both Labour and Tory benches to say sorry for the remark.
Mr Bercow has so far refused to deny he branded Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom a ‘stupid woman’ and ‘useless’ last week. The row deepened yesterthis, day amid reports that he called Mrs Leadsom a liar when she privately challenged him over the alleged insult.
Today, senior Labour MP Kate Hoey and Tory Vicky Ford will both call on the Speaker to apologise.
Ms Hoey, a former Labour Minister, contrasted Mr Bercow’s behaviour with that of Betty Boothroyd, the only woman who has been Speaker. She said: ‘If the Speaker did say it is totally unacceptable and there is no excuse. He must apologise tomorrow.
‘In order to regain the full confidence of the Commons, a Speaker must adhere to the highest standards of behaviour.
‘I cannot imagine Speaker Boothroyd ever demeaning the office in such a way.’
Ms Ford, who serves on the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, said the language Mr Bercow was accused of was ‘a very derogatory and a very sexist phrase’.
She said: ‘If he made a slip, he needs to say sorry and move on.’
Mr Bercow’s alleged remarks came last week as he sat back after sternly warning the Tory front bench – including Mrs Leadsom – not to abuse Commons procedures.
Challenged over the comments, his office said last week that it had been an ‘unusual and controversial day… and some strong and differing views were expressed’.
Asked yesterday whether he had called Mrs Leadsom a liar, Mr Bercow’s office said: ‘There was a brief private conversation at the [Speaker’s] Chair, which the Speaker wouldn’t dream of disclosing.’
Mr Bercow and Mrs Leadsom both declined to comment on the row.
‘Totally unacceptable – there is no excuse’