Calls for Speaker to quit over bullying allegations
PRIME MINISTER Theresa May thanked Amber Rudd for her “valuable work” as the former Home Secretary appeared in the Commons for the first time since her resignation from the Cabinet.
Ms Rudd received prolonged cheers from Tory MPs as she rose from the backbenches to speak during Prime Minister’s Questions.
The former Cabinet minister praised her successor, Sajid Javid, and paid tribute to the emergency services.
Ms Rudd, who was seated between James Gray and Bob Blackman, said: “Could I take the opportunity to congratulate (Sajid Javid) on his appointment to the Home Office – such an important department not only in terms of security but also in terms of ensuring we have a safe immigration policy.
“Could I add that the UK threat level remains at severe; last year we had five terrorist attacks that got through and 36 innocent people that were killed.
“Could I invite the Prime Minister to share with me our admiration for the extraordinary work and bravery that is done by counter-terrorism police and our emergency services and our security services, which I know we are all grateful for.”
Mrs May responded: “Can I first of all say to her that I’m pleased to be able to have this opportunity to pay tribute to her and the work that she did as home secretary. She did valuable work across all elements of the Home Office, including issues like modern slavery and domestic violence.
“The work she did with the internet companies in terms of keeping people safe on the internet was ground-breaking.”
Ms Rudd is the fourth member of the Conservative Government forced to resign from the Cabinet in the last six months, following Sir Michael Fallon, Priti Patel and Damian Green. THERESA MAY believes the latest bullying allegations against Commons Speaker John Bercow should be “properly investigated”, No 10 has said.
Downing Street set out three ways the claims could be looked at but said it was for the House to decide how to proceed.
Mr Bercow is facing calls to quit following fresh bullying allegations from a former private secretary in his office, which the Speaker strenuously denies. Angus Sinclair told BBC Two’s
that Mr Bercow undermined him by mimicking him, swearing and shouting, and once even smashed a mobile phone by throwing it on to the desk in front of him. He said he was forced into early retirement, with an £86,250 pay-off, on condition he did not make any complaints.
The PM’s official spokesman said the latest claims are “concerning and should be properly investigated”. The Speaker’s office issued a firm denial of the allegations.
No 10 said the accusations could be investigated as part of the independent judge-led inquiry into claims of bullying of staff in the Palace of Westminster, by the House authorities or the Parliamentary Commissioner. A spokesman said: “There are ways in which this could be done.
“The inquiry has obviously set out its terms of reference but we suggest this is something the chair may wish to consider there.
“Or, the House authorities, as the employer of parliamentary staff, could consider the best way for this investigation to be carried out. Also, the Parliamentary Commissioner is empowered to investigate allegations that a named member has breached the rules of conduct.”