Alleged bully John Bercow may actually be a VICTIM of bullying – because he hasn’t been given a peerage, Dawn Butler said today.
Labour’s Shadow Equalities Secretary made the eyebrow-raising claim as a third top official reportedly made a formal complaint about the ex-Commons Speaker.
Mr Bercow’s bid for a peerage could be scuppered after former Clerk of the House Lord Lisvane, former Black Rod David Leakey and former private secretary Angus Sinclair were all said to have handed allegations to Parliament’s standards watchdog.
But Ms Butler claimed the focus should be on the Tories – to ask why they did not nominate Mr Bercow for a peerage in the first place.
The deputy leadership candidate told Sky News “I suspect it’s actually to do with Brexit rather than anything else” – adding: “I think that’s a form of bullying too.”
Normally retiring Speakers are nominated for a peerage by the Prime Minister. But Boris Johnson has refused to – so Labour decided to nominate Mr Bercow instead.
(Image: Ian Forsyth)
That has led to a row as Mr Bercow’s critics said the gong should be blocked until bullying claims – which Mr Bercow has always vehemently denied – are properly investigated.
Ms Butler, however, said: “The first question for me is why hasn’t he been given a peerage.
“They haven’t said that’s the reason why they haven’t given him a peerage and I would like to know…
“I suspect it’s actually to do with Brexit rather than anything else.”
She added: “If John Bercow’s been accused of bullying there needs to be due process and has he been found guilty, or is it just an accusation?
“I think those are the things we have to go through.
(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
“[We] really do need to ask the Conservatives, why is it that you haven’t like everybody else ensured that the Speaker of the House is given a peerage.
“Otherwise I think that’s a form of bullying too.”
Mr Bercow has repeatedly and flatly denied claims he bullied Commons staff, saying: “I categorically deny that I have ever bullied anyone, anywhere at any time.”
Last week he condemned claims by former Black Rod David Leakey as “total and utter rubbish.”
But today the Sunday Times reported his bid for a peerage looks set to be blocked by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. A source told the newspaper: “Bercow will not be approved.”
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick dismissed claims the Tories were bulling Mr Bercow, telling Sky News: “I don’t agree with that. The Prime Minister chooses individuals who could sit in the House of Lords as Conservative peers.
“There’s no obligation on the Prime Minister to make John Bercow a member of the House of Lords.
“John Bercow never believed in convention himself when he was speaker. He explicitly said he didn’t think conventions needed to be abided by.”
Mr Jenrick added: “In my own experience Parliament is a better place without John Bercow, and long may that continue”.
