WHAT A BERC
Smug John Bercow laughs off Brexit ‘sabotage’ and jokes he ‘won’t sacrifice himself’ after Commons row
The Commons Speaker made a string of sarcastic jokes as he was confronted by the BBC today
SMUG John Bercow today refused to explain his controversial Brexit blocking - or apologise for meddling.
The Commons Speaker made a string of sarcastic jokes when he was approached by the BBC this morning.
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He ignored repeated questions about his controversial move to stop Theresa May holding a third vote on his Brexit deal.
Mr Bercow was filmed walking to work in Parliament and asked: "Can you explain to the public what you did yesterday?"
But instead of responding, he said, "I really feel you ought to get yourselves some coffee or tea" - then made a joke about the reporter's hat.
Pressed on the issue, the Speaker sneered: "I'm sure people are so very grateful to you for showing such interest at this time in the morning - very grateful to you, very well done."
As the camera crew crossed the road with him, Mr Bercow snapped: "Careful, careful! There are cars coming along here, I'm not going to sacrifice myself for your benefit.
"I know that you attach great weight to what you think, but perhaps you'd be kind enough to allow me to proceed."
I'm not going to sacrifice myself for your benefit
John Bercow
Yesterday the Speaker, who has near-total control over the Commons, cited a 400-year-old precedent which stops MPs from tabling the same questions again and again.
Mr Bercow said the rule prevented the PM from bringing her Brexit deal back for a third "meaningful vote" after it was defeated twice.
His edict was welcomed by hardline Brexiteers keen to go for No Deal - but also by Remainers who want to overturn Brexit entirely.
Tory MP James Gray today predicted the Speaker's move would kill off our EU exit for good.
He said: "As a result of Mr Bercow's ruling yesterday there will be a huge extension to A50 over the weekend, No Deal is off the table.
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"My suspicion is that this is the end of Brexit - I don't think that Britain will leave the European Union."
Despite Mr Bercow's gambit, the PM's officials today vowed to defy him and hold a third vote on the deal as soon as next week.
No10 believes they can overrule the Speaker by attaching small tweaks to the existing deal, or by holding a vote of the Commons giving the PM permission to table her deal again.
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Commons Speaker John Bercow says third meaningful vote can only be held if government's proposition on Brexit deal is different
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