Labour call to give Bercow a peerage vetoed by Johnson

BORIS JOHNSON has blocked Jeremy Corbyn’s recommendation for John Bercow to receive a peerage because of allegations of bullying by the former Speaker.

Downing Street said it would not approve Labour’s nomination of Mr Bercow for elevation to the upper chamber because there were outstanding concerns about his “propriety”.

Karie Murphy, Mr Corbyn’s former chief of staff, was also blocked for appointment to the Lords over an Equalities and Human Rights Commission investigation into alleged institutional anti-semitism in the Labour Party.

The Jewish Labour Movement said her nomination was “deeply inappropriate”. Ms Murphy denies all allegations of anti-semitism.

Officials at Downing Street informed Mr Corbyn his nominations would be rejected before he stepped down as leader, The Sunday Times reported. The House of Lords Appointments Commission had concerns about both Mr Bercow and Ms Murphy’s “propriety”.

Mr Bercow, who stood down at the end of October, was referred to the parliamentary commissioner of standards in January over allegations of bullying, which he denies.

Commons officials accused him of creating a climate of “fear and intimidation” during his time in office, and a former clerk of the Commons said he used “sexually and racially inappropriate” language. Mr Bercow said the claim was “unadulterated rubbish”.

Last night, the Independent claimed that Tom Watson, Labour’s former deputy leader, had also had his nomination rejected.