Commons Speaker John Bercow plans to defy critics and serve another year despite bullying claims

COMMONS Speaker John Bercow plans to defy his army of critics and serve another year in the post, friends have claimed.

Despite calls from Theresa May for a probe into bullying claims, Mr ­Bercow wants a decade in the job.

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The pledge will infuriate Tory backbenchers demanding his head over allegations he vehemently denies.

Mr Bercow originally vowed to serve nine years, which would have seen him quit next month.

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But in his column today, James Forsyth reveals pals of Mr Bercow, who has been rocked by bullying allegations from former staffers, are “assured” his plan is to stay until mid-2019.

Angus Sinclair, his ex-private secretary, said this week he got “compulsory early retirement” in 2010 provided he didn’t complain or speak about his treatment.

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Mr Sinclair said Mr Bercow ­mimicked him to undermine him and his temper was so bad he once smashed a mobile phone.

In March the BBC claimed Mr Bercow’s behaviour was so bad another private secretary, Kate Emms, left with PTSD.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen has demanded the Commons Standards Committee investigate.

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