Bercow accused of orchestrating Trump row to remain Speaker

JOHN BERCOW has “orchestrated” a row over Donald Trump’s visit to Britain in order to allow him to stay in post as Commons Speaker until 2020, government sources believe.

Mr Bercow was accused of violating his political impartiality after he said on Monday that he wanted to prevent the US President from addressing Parliament during his forthcoming state visit.

The Speaker said that he wanted to stop Mr Trump from speaking in Westminster Hall because of his “racism and sexism”.

It prompted one Conservative MP, James Duddridge, to table a motion of no confidence in Mr Bercow, which has been formally supported by two Tory backbenchers.

However, Cabinet ministers have told The Daily Telegraph that they believe Mr Bercow intentionally created the row as part of a plot to ensure he stays on as Commons Speaker until at least 2020.

It had been expected that Mr Bercow would stand down next year.

But after making his comments about Mr Trump, Mr Bercow has been supported by numerous MPs from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP, who said that they will oppose any bid to oust him, allowing him to remain for years. It is understood that Mr Bercow has told friends and allies he wants to remain in post until at least 2020.

“Bercow did this to win Labour, SNP and Lib Dem support for staying on,” a senior member of the Government said. “He has orchestrated the whole thing.”

Allies of Mr Bercow said that he had simply been responding to a point of order by Stephen Doughty, a Labour MP, calling on officials to withhold permission for an address to Westminster Hall by Mr Trump.

But several Conservatives claim Mr Bercow knew of the question and had prepared his remarks.

Alec Shelbrooke, a Tory MP, yesterday voiced support for Mr Duddridge’s motion, saying that although Mr Trump’s “faith-based migrant ban” is “discriminatory” and “wrong”, Mr Bercow had “politicised the office of Speaker and his position is untenable”.

Meanwhile, it was last night claimed that the Government was preparing to back down on plans to allow Mr Trump to address Parliament.

The Guardian said that one option being considered was to make Mr Trump’s visit coincide with the parliamentary recess.

However, this was described by sources as “untrue” and “guesswork”, with one insider saying “the itinerary has not even been discussed”.