Labour leader backs Bercow

JEREMY CORBYN has insisted John Bercow is “religiously fair” as he defended the Speaker’s handling of the Brexit process. The Labour leader labelled the treatment of Mr Bercow by some MPs as “absolutely disgraceful” and said the Speaker was trying to ensure Parliament has an “absolute say” on the UK’s departure from the EU.

But Transport Secretary Chris Grayling advised Mr Bercow to refrain from doing anything that would “cause controversy around his position”. He said the Speaker must be a “dispassionate referee” of proceedings in the Commons, adding he hopes Mr Bercow will do this in the coming days.