Commons Speaker John Bercow may face investigation into bullying claims after MPs change rules to allow historic complaints
Parliament’s watchdog cannot investigate allegations more than seven years old without the consent of the Commons Standards Committee however MPs are calling for this rule to be axed
JOHN Bercow could be investigated over bullying claims within weeks after a key hurdle was removed by MPs today.
Parliament’s watchdog currently can’t investigate any allegations that date back more than seven years without the consent of the Commons Standards Committee.
This rule meant Mr Bercow escaped an investigation earlier this year - because MPs on the committee blocked a probe into the bullying claims.
But today the committee called for the seven year rule to be abolished.
They’re expected to be approved by the Commons before Christmas.
It will mean Parliamentary Commissioner Kathryn Stone can decide herself whether to launch an investigation into Mr Bercow if she receives a fresh complaint.
And today Tory MP Andrew Bridgen declared: “I will be re-submitting my complaint as soon as the rules are officially changed.”
Among the bombshell allegations lodged against Mr Bercow was his former private secretary Angus Sinclair, who quit in 2010 and was paid £86,250 to stay silent about his experience.
He said the Speaker once became so angry that he smashed a phone on a desk in front of him.
Mr Sinclair also said Mr Bercow regularly swore and mimicked staffers and frequently lost his temper.
His successor Kate Emms was signed off with PTSD after working for Mr Bercow for less than a year.
The Speaker has firmly denied the bullying allegations against him.
The Standards Committee said it was an “unacceptable encroachment” on Ms Stone’s role to require her to consult them before launching an inquiry into events more than seven years earlier.
Investigations into former MPs will also no longer need the backing of the committee.
The MPs also said that the powers of its seven lay members, which provide half of its membership, should have “equal status” with MPs on voting rights.
Labour MP Sir Kevin Barron, who chaired the committee at the time, said lay members should have voting rights.
The committee said it “deeply regrets what has gone wrong” over bullying and harassment in the House of Commons, adding: “We commit ourselves to contributing to putting things right.”
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