Michael Martin to resign as House of Commons speaker

Published on Tuesday 19 May 2009 11:42

The future of beleaguered House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin was in doubt today with one news report claiming he was about to announce he will stand down.

Mr Martin is expected to make the announcement in the Commons at 2.30pm.

Online Poll: Is Michael Martin right to stand down?

The Speaker is due to hold emergency talks on the reform of MPs' expenses at 4pm.

Mr Martin has been under mounting pressure to resign over his handling of the scandal.

Mr Martin had summoned Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other party leaders for talks today as politicians grappled to contain the crisis that has erupted following the disclosure of details of MPs' second home claims.

However, the Speaker's own future was left in the balance following extraordinary scenes yesterday in the Commons when a series of MPs rose to demand he stand aside or submit to a vote of no confidence.

Despite saying he was "profoundly sorry" for his part in what had happened, he showed no indication that he was prepared to go during yesterday's statement.

The Government had resisted pressure to allow a Commons debate on a motion of no confidence in Mr Martin tabled by the Tory backbencher Douglas Carswell.

That motion had been backed by 23 MPs by this morning.

And this may have led the Speaker to conclude that he had no choice but to stand down.

Tory leader David Cameron warned last night that the motion would have to be put to a vote if it gathered the support of a large number of MPs.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg meanwhile indicated he could be prepared to use one of his party's opposition days – when it selects the subject for discussion – to hold a debate if the Government refuses to timetable one.

With anger over the expenses scandal showing no sign of easing, the Speaker may not be the only person facing the prospect of losing their job.

TV personality Esther Rantzen is pondering a challenge to Luton MP Margaret Moran and Paul Kenny, the general secretary of the GMB union, said Labour MPs who have abused the expenses system should face deselection.

Mr Cameron said today that the Speaker had "a lot of questions to answer" but warned that debate over his position should not distract from the public demand for an early general election.

Mr Cameron told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The absolutely key issue is that the public are very angry with MPs and they want to elect a new Parliament and have a general election.

"In their view, swapping one person in a funny black costume for another person in a funny black costume is not actually going to make all the difference."

Meanwhile, in the latest disclosure over MPs' expenses, the Daily Telegraph reported the Labour MP John Austin claimed more than 10,000 for the redecoration of his London flat – which was just 11 miles from his main home – before selling for a profit.

The newspaper reported on its website that the left-wing MP for Erith and Thamesmead had made 30,000 when he sold the flat in Southwark, south London, in 2006.

It said that he then bought a new flat just 1.5 miles away, claiming 10,000 in stamp duty and other expenses incurred in the move and a further 15,000 on a new bathroom, kitchen, carpets, and appliances.

Mr Austin described the report as "inaccurate and misleading" and said he was taking legal advice.

Government Chief Whip Nick Brown's parliamentary expenses also featured today, with The Daily Telegraph report raising questions about

allowances of 87,708 which he claimed on his second home in Newcastle between 2004 and 2008 – including 18,800 unreceipted claims for food.

Mr Brown, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, said his claims were "not unreasonable" and reflected real costs which he had incurred.

MARTIN MAKES HISTORY AFTER 300 YEARS

Michael Martin is the first Speaker to be forced from his post in more than 300 years.

His predecessor Sir John Trevor was ousted from the office in 1695 after the House of Commons found him guilty of "a high crime and misdemeanour" for accepting a bribe.

In the 17th century the speaker had control over the House of Commons agenda and could authorise private member's bills.

The City of London asked Sir John if he could put through a bill on their behalf, and he agreed to do it for 1,000 guineas.

But he was found out and efforts were launched to remove him from the speakership for bribery.

Sir John, a former lawyer famous for his severely crossed eyes, initially resisted the moves to throw him out but he finally had to go.

Even so, despite his "form", he remained a judge until he died aged 69.

In the years before 1560, seven speakers were beheaded and one was murdered.

The office of speaker was first held by Sir Peter de la Mare, knight for Herefordshire, in 1376's "Good Parliament", so-called because the Commons refused to grant the Crown any new taxes until its grievances had been addressed.

In the dispute with Edward III, Sir Peter acted as spokesman for the Commons and their collective strength prevailed.

But as soon as Parliament was dissolved, Sir Peter was thrown into prison and his successor Sir Thomas Hungerford presided over the "Bad Parliament", which reversed most of the gains of the previous year.

The office of speaker continued to be fought over by Crown and Commons for centuries. In 1629, Speaker Finch took the King's line,

declaring: "I am not less the King's servant for being yours."

And in 1642, Speaker William Lenthall famously put the interests of the Commons to the fore. This was when Charles I entered the House to arrest five members for high treason.

When he asked the speaker if he knew where these members were, the speaker famously replied: "May it please your majesty, I have neither eyes to see, nor tongue to speak in this place, but as the House is pleased to direct me."

Whenever a new speaker is chosen, he makes a show of reluctance to accept the job and has to be dragged to the chair by his supporters.

This is because of the dire fate that has befallen some speakers down the centuries.