Commons Speaker John Bercow admits he called Andrea Leadsom ‘stupid’ but still won’t say sorry for slurs against minister
Mrs Leadsom took a veiled potshot at the Speaker suggesting he should show more 'courtesy and respect'
COMMONS Speaker John Bercow tonight admitted he DID call a senior minister “stupid” – but refused to apologise.
The controversial Parliament boss said that if he clashes with the Government then “so be it” as he addressed his spat with Andrea Leadsom for the first time.
And in response, Mrs Leadsom took a veiled potshot at the Speaker suggesting he had failed to show “respect”.
Last week, Mr Bercow was overheard calling the minister a “stupid woman” – and allegedly said she was “f**king useless”.
Today he admitted he was furious with Mrs Leadsom, the Leader of the Commons, for eating into debate time which was earmarked for Labour.
The Speaker said: “It was in that context, and that context alone, that having expressed my displeasure about the matter quite forcefully from the chair, I used the word ‘stupid’ in a muttered aside.
“That adjective simply summed up how I felt about the way that day’s business had been conducted.
“Anyone who knows the Leader of the House at all well will have not the slightest doubt about her political ability and her personal character.”
Mr Bercow added: “I love this house, I respect all of my colleagues, I hold you all in the highest esteem.
“It is our duty to get on with the business of Parliament, scrutinising legislation, debating issues and standing up for the people we are here to represent.
“For my part I will continue to speak out firmly for the interests of the whole house and if from time to time it involves publicly disagreeing with the Government’s management of business, then so be it.”
Speaking shortly afterwards, Mrs Leadsom hinted at her anger towards Mr Bercow, saying: “We have a responsibility to safeguard the rights of this house.
“As Leader of the House, I seek to do exactly that, treating all Members of Parliament with courtesy and respect.
“I hope and expect all honourable and right honourable members to do likewise.”
Mrs Leadsom has declined to file a formal complaint against the Speaker, but other Tory MPs have called for him to quit in response.
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