At business questions Tory MP James Duddridge asked the government whether there would be time for a debate on the qualities required in the next Speaker. Modest, calm, dignified, cool under pressure, punctual, that kind of thing…

Scandal-hit Bercow suggested he is staying put and couldn’t resist delivering a personal slap-down to Duddridge. He said:

“I very gently say to the Honurable Gentleman in terms which are very straightforward and which I know he will be fully able to understand… the Honourable Gentleman will recall I indicated my willingness to continue in the chair in June of last year…”

Things have somewhat changed since then, Mr Speaker.

50 Days Until Bercow Promised to Go https://t.co/wQs4rViiSa pic.twitter.com/AcbJ42hhch

— Guido Fawkes (@GuidoFawkes) 3 May 2018

Back in June 2009, when he became Speaker, John Bercow promised he would serve “for no more than nine years in total”. 9 years would be June 22 this year, or 50 days from now.

Will he last that long?

Major development via Politics Home, who have former Black Rod David Leakey saying John Bercow’s behaviour is “unworthy of someone in such public office” and does not “stand up to the standards expected in public life”. He reveals that “lots of people” were “terrified of the Speaker”:

“On one occasion he quite suddenly erupted in a rage, banging the table and being extremely and personally rude to me, including calling me an anti-Semite. He did apologise to me for that specific remark afterwards, but not for his other highly personal insults, and it is intolerable.

“His rage erupted, as on a previous occasion, and the red mist suddenly descended: it was quite disproportionate and unreasonable by any standards.

“His explosive and intemperate behaviour is legendary, objectionable and unworthy of someone in such public office – conduct which may not stand up to the standards expected in public life. There were lots of people who were, frankly, terrified of the Speaker.”

It is starting to look like Bercow is going to have to go.

Absurd spectacle in the Commons as John Bercow calls his pal Julian Lewis to make a patsy point of order asking the Speaker to confirm just how much his staff love him. Bercow takes the opportunity to say the “great majority” of his former staff left on good terms. As he and Lewis know, that isn’t the point. How many of Bercow’s former staff did not leave on good terms? And why? This is not the behaviour of an innocent man…

Theresa May’s spokesman has said the PM wants the bullying allegations against John Bercow to be investigated. As things stand parliament’s ongoing inquiry will not look into claims against the Speaker. Bercow is accused of:

• Shouting at and undermining his former private secretary Kate Emms, who had to be signed off work with PTSD.
• Bullying, swearing and throwing a phone at his former private secretary Angus Sinclair.
• Told the former Clerk of the House Robert Rogers to “f**k off”, subjecting him to regular temper tantrums.

Surely he should be suspended while the allegations are investigated?

“Suddenly his mobile phone… was flung on the desk in front of me and broke into a lot of bits.”

John Bercow’s former private secretary has accused the Speaker of bullying – with angry outbursts, obscene language and mimicry. Mr Bercow denies the allegations #newsnight pic.twitter.com/xEBNPfvAYf

— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) May 1, 2018

Bombshell fresh bullying allegations against John Bercow this evening reported by Newsnight. Devastating testimony from the Speaker’s former private secretary Angus Sinclair surely casts doubts on whether Bercow can stay on. Sinclair reveals he was paid almost £90,000 to sign a non-disclosure agreement following the bullying claims:

“I thought to myself, it’s in the public interest to know why I left.

“Yes, it breaks that non-disclosure agreement, but it’s the truth. There was bullying.”

I was working at my desk and he came in and was absolutely furious about something.

“He asked for some information from another part of the House. It had been very slow coming and I’d prodded for an early resolution and he knew that but he held me responsible.

“There was a tirade of how I’d let him down and it was the worst thing.

“There was a lot of bad language and suddenly his mobile phone which he’d been holding was flung on the desk in front of me and broke into a lot of bits.”

Almost as if Bercow is a total piece of work. How long can he stay in place?