JOHN Bercow has whinged about a “conspiracy” to stop him getting a seat in the House of Lords.
He claims it’s “blindingly obvious” a “concerted campaign” is blocking him from a peerage – as a Labour MP suggests Mr Bercow is a victim of bullying.
A number of prominent Brexiteers have accused him of conducting a pro-Remain agenda when he was Speaker.
Yet Labour has nominated the former Tory MP for a peerage after his party declined to do so, breaking with the convention that Speakers are elevated to the Commons once they retire.
When asked today by the BBC if his chances of receiving a peerage have disappeared, he replied: “I didn’t say that.
“You asked me whether there was a concerted campaign, whether there was a conspiracy, whether there was an organised effort and I said it is blindingly obvious that that is so.”
Mr Bercow’s comments came as Labour’s Dawn Butler said he may himself be a victim of bullying after the Tories refused to award him a peerage.
“FORM OF BULLYING”
She said the Conservatives’ decision to depart with tradition and not reward Mr Bercow after his decade in the chair could be “a form of bullying too”.
The wannabe Labour deputy leader’s was blasted after it was confirmed that a third complaint has been submitted about the ex-Speaker’s behaviour during his decade in power
Mr Bercow has denied all allegations of bullying made against him.
Ms Butler, Labour’s shadow women and equalities minister, told Sky’s Sophy Ridge today: “If you accuse someone of bullying, there needs to be due process.
“Has he been found guilty or is it just an accusation?
“We really do need to ask the Conservatives why it didn’t, like everybody else, ensure the Speaker of the House received a peerage?
“Otherwise I think that’s a form of bullying too.”
“LUDICROUS”
Tory MP Rob Roberts said earlier: “Not awarding a peerage to someone who has been accused of bullying and nasty behaviour by lots of different people isnt itself bullying.
“What a ludicrous suggestion.
“If there is a proper investigation and Mr Bercow is exonerated, then its a conversation. Until then, no peerage.”
This morning Mr Bercow told the BBC that when it comes to getting a peerage, “every speaker in the last few hundred years has been invited to so do, but we shall have to see what happens.”
His comments came as Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Parliament is a better place without John Bercow”.
He added: “Personally I wouldnt offer John Bercow a peerage, I think he has received some very serious allegations of bullying and harassment from senior credible people.”
Meanwhile, Mr Bercow’s former private secretary, Angus Sinclair, 67, has passed a dossier of allegations to authorities about him.
Former clerk of the House, Lord Lisvane and former Black Rod, Lieutenant-General David Leakey have also put in official complaints.
The House of Lords Appointments Commission has said it has “serious” concerns about two of the eight candidates nominated by the Labour Party – which could include the ex-Speaker.
They have alleged that he shouted at them, lost his temper, and would thump the table.
Officials are due to meet next week to vet those put forward for honours.
“Bercow will not be approved, one source told the Sunday Times.
“There are serious problems with two of Labours nominations.”
John Bercow has denied the complaints against him and claimed officials who have made them did not work closely with him and were unable to make such accusations.
