Bercow may be first Speaker denied a peerage in 250 years

THE Government is to break with 250 years of precedent and refuse to offer John Bercow a peerage after he stands down as Speaker.

Mr Bercow announced on Monday that he would stand down on Oct 31, the day set for the UK to leave the EU.

However, a Government source said they would be “hugely surprised” if Mr Bercow was elevated to the House of Lords, as is customary for speakers leaving office.

“He has been dogged by controversy about his alleged bullying behaviour, he has undermined faith in politics and there is no intention on our side to nominate him for a peerage,” the source said.

“If Labour want to reward him with a peerage for services to Labour they are welcome to try.”

A Labour Party spokesman said there had been no discussions about nominating Mr Bercow for a peerage.

If Mr Bercow is not placed on the honours list, he will be the first speaker since 1761 not to be raised to the upper house, not including two who died in office or shortly after stepping down.

The Government’s refusal to nominate Mr Bercow as a peer is thought to reflect anger over the Speaker’s supposed bias over Brexit.

There is no love lost between the Speaker and Brexiteer MPS, who have long regarded him as an obstacle to Britain leaving the EU.

Mr Bercow infuriated the Government when he condemned the prorogation of Parliament and allowed a rebel bill to be introduced that forced the Prime Minister to ask the EU for an extension to Article 50.

Andrea Leadsom, the Business Secretary, said the move was a “flagrant abuse” of his power as Speaker.