John Bercow’s clerk stitch up will face the scrutiny of a committee of MPs after the House last night passed Jesse Norman’s motion to examine the probity of the appointment. The battle lines were drawn in the debate chaired by Lindsay Hoyle: Labour’s Margaret Hodge and Gisela Stuart defended the Speaker from being subjected to “unwarranted and plain wrong” accountability, Hodge insisting “the panel thought that Carol Mills was the only candidate who was appointable to the job”. A claim directly contradicted by Andrew Lansley, who said they found several suitable names. Perhaps Hodge will be called before the committee to explain her mistake.

George Young also urged Mills to withdraw, while William Hague was absent with a belly ache. Jack Straw will chair the committee, reporting back to MPs next year. A very modest pause indeed…