Boothroyd speaks her mind over Bercow's dress sense

SPEAKER John Bercow has lost some of the respect he should enjoy from parliamentarians and voters because of his refusal to wear traditional dress, claims his predecessor, Baroness Boothroyd.

She said Bercow's decision to wear a suit rather than court dress was "not good for parliament". The peer - who occupied the Speaker's chair from 1992-2000 - also warned that plans for an elected House of Lords amounted to "wanton destruction".

Boothroyd said she had spoken to Bercow about the Speaker's uniform and asked him to at least wear a white shirt and "weepers" - broad white cuffs - and a more traditional gown. "The symbols of the office are very important," she said. "It has not been good for parliament that the Speaker hasn't worn the official uniform.

"I don't ask him to wear breeches and fancy things like that. I ask him to wear a white shirt, weepers and a proper gown. I don't even ask him to wear a wig. If you are doing a job, you wear the uniform."

She also denounced the abuse of expenses by MPs, which emerged under her successor Michael Martin, as "an absolute disgrace".