John Bercow told he is on his 'last warning' amid concerns about his behaviour
3 min read
John Bercow has been told he is on his "last warning" amid attempts to crack down on bad behaviour in Parliament.
A report last year by Dame Laura Cox found that a culture of harassment had been "tolerated and concealed" by Commons bosses and called for a radical shake-up.
However, she warned that he “necessary changes” might be impossible “under the current senior House administration” - including Mr Bercow and the Clerk of the House Sir David Natzler.
Sir David has since then announced his retirement, but Mr Bercow has made no public comment on his future, despite speculation he could stand down in the summer.
A senior Parliamentary source said: "The Speaker has been on his best behaviour since the Cox report, but we all know it won't last. He's on his last warning now - one false move and we'll have him."
Mr Bercow has strenuously denied allegations of bullying made by two of his former parliamentary private secretaries.
He has previously admitted calling Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom "stupid", but refused to apologise.
And he also had to say sorry to veteran Tory MP Ken Clarke for trying to imitate him in the House of Commons.
Earlier this week, former Cabinet minister Maria Miller said MPs were reluctant to criticise the Speaker because they feared being "humiliated" by him.
She said: "The reason people will not speak out is fear of the Speaker: they are fearful of him and maybe they have just cause to be fearful of him.
"He controls your ability to be able to contribute in the chamber, and secondly his outbursts can be very embarrassing and for some people even humiliating."
Ms Miller added: "It's absolutely disgraceful the way in which the Cox Report is being taken forward, and that significant issues that she raised appear to be being swept under the carpet.
"I will continue to do everything that I can to make sure that there is an acknowledgement of the need to change the culture here.
"We cannot expect other organisations to be heeding or to take note and to act on campaigns like the MeToo campaign if Parliament is selective in the way that it chooses to implement the Cox Report."
Responding to her comments, a spokesperson for Mr Bercow said: "The Speaker, alongside the entire House of Commons Commission, has committed to swift and lasting change in response to Dame Laura Cox's report and accepted its key recommendations.
"A number of changes have already been made in response to the report and the Speaker hopes and expects to see further such progress made in 2019.
"The Speaker was elected by the House in 2017 for the course of the Parliament. In the event he has anything to say on his future plans, he will make an announcement to the House first."
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