Never to get a pass to go into Parliament again.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics...llying-inquiry
The former House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has been found to be a “serial bully” and liar by an independent inquiry, which has banned him from holding a parliamentary pass and said he could have been expelled from the Commons if still an MP.
In a coruscating verdict on some of Bercow’s conduct during a decade as Speaker, the independent panel found his behaviour “fell very far below that which the public has a right to expect from any member of parliament”. It upheld 21 out of 35 complaints against him by former staff.
The report said: “The respondent’s conduct was so serious that, had he still been a member of parliament, we would have determined that he should be expelled by resolution of the house. As it is, we recommend that he should never be permitted a pass to the parliamentary estate.”
The panel gave its findings after Bercow appealed against an initial report by Kathryn Stone, the standards commissioner.
As Speaker, Bercow made a number of high-profile stands against the government’s use of Brexit legislation, allowing a number of unorthodox challenges by MPs.
But his final years in the role were dogged by allegations of bullying, including swearing at officials and throwing his mobile phone.
The allegations were brought by Lord Lisvane, the former clerk of the Commons, and private secretaries Kate Emms and Angus Sinclair.
The sub-panel of the independent experts chaired by Sir Stephen Irwin found that that parliament’s bullying and harassment policy was “breached repeatedly and extensively by the most senior member of the House of Commons”.
“In all, 21 separate allegations were proved and have been upheld. The house may feel that his conduct brought the high office of Speaker into disrepute,” he said.
Comment