Bercow puts off his free pension to 65

Commons Speaker John Bercow is to cling on to his ultra-gold-plated pension – but has agreed not to draw it until he turns 65.

Under the traditional deal, Mr Bercow does not make any contributions and would have been entitled to £39,000 per annum from the day he leaves office. However, pressure has been mounting on the MP to give up the benefit, after David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Ken Clarke renounced theirs.

A statement released by Mr Bercow’s office yesterday afternoon said he had pledged not to serve more than nine years when elected in 2009. That would mean starting to draw his half-salary pension at the age of 55.

“The Speaker does not believe that this is right,” the statement said. “He has therefore proposed before he leaves office to waive his entitlement to the Speaker’s pension until he reaches 65.”