Gavin Williamson, sly chief of the BBBs (B ***** ked By Bercow)

THE Speaker regularly picked on a few Tory MPs, such as the then PPS to David Cameron, Gavin Williamson, for shouting at and taunting Labour during Prime Minister’s Questions. Williamson and co responded by forming the elite ‘BBB’ club, B ***** ked By Bercow.

Childish, I grant you, but it became a badge of honour.

Gavin (right) was regularly castigated as he flung ‘challenging propositions’ at Labour. Most were respectable. Some less so. He did it without interruption from the Speaker by enlisting the support of Andrew Bingham, former Tory MP for High Peak.

Andrew routinely sat behind the Prime Minister by being first into the chamber on Wednesday to reserve his seat for Prayers, before the day’s session begins. In one of the House’s bizarre customs, we are not permitted to reserve places in the chamber, but can do so for Prayers, basically the same thing. Andrew ruthlessly exploited it by reserving the seat next to Gavin, who, as PPS to the PM, always occupied the seat directly behind the PM. To his left was Andrew. ‘Bingham, lean forward so your nose is almost touching the PM’s back when he is sitting down.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Put your phone down as well.’ ‘OK, why?’ ‘Bercow won’t be able to see me, and I can continue to heckle.’ And he did, with consummate skill.