‘Don’t tell me what the procedures are’ – The House of Commons was in chaos after SNP MPs left in protest at Speaker John Bercow kicking @IanBlackfordMP out #PMQs https://t.co/Y0VorfFfmt pic.twitter.com/eQqwP7aZ1f
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 13, 2018
The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford deliberately gets himself suspended from the Commons with a naff stunt at PMQs. The rest of the Nats then walked out in protest as Bercow floundered and completely lost control. Oh well. Bye!
“About a dozen colleagues from all sides of the House, men and women, approached me afterwards to say his behaviour was sexist and demeaning” @claireperrymp on why she has written to Speaker asking him to “consider his behaviour” over #Brexit debate comments #bbcdp pic.twitter.com/LnfKpr7pUJ
— BBC Daily Politics and Sunday Politics (@daily_politics) June 13, 2018
John Bercow is facing yet more allegations this afternoon, with Tory minister Claire Perry accusing him of “sexist and demeaning” behaviour and having a “women problem”. Perry says a dozen colleagues from all sides of the House are backing her after the incident yesterday. How long will the Speaker keep getting away with it?
UPDATE: Perry’s letter via The Sun.
UPDATE: Bercow has replied, dismissing Perry’s claims and instead inviting her for a “clear the air cup of tea”. Extraordinary…
Back in March, Guido revealed John Bercow had a “Bollocks to Brexit“ sticker in his car window – not a very impartial message for the Speaker to be promoting. This morning Bercow has new sticker on his car. This photo was sent in by a co-conspirator, it says: “Don’t blame me, I voted Remain”.
Click to enlargeSally doubling down?
The Speaker admits:
“I used the word stupid in a muttered aside. That adjective simply summed up how I felt.”
Doesn’t address whether he used the sexist term “stupid woman”. Doesn’t apologise. Not a good look…
Guido knows it is well into rosé hour on a sunny Friday afternoon, but Labour dinosaur Barry Sheerman is being particularly incoherent over on Twitter. Sheerman began by launching a bold defence of the Speaker and calling for Leadsom to resign instead, only to be called out for mansplaining by Ruth Davidson:
Outrageous treatment of the House of Commons by Leader of the House Andrea Leadsom spun by Tory Whips as fault of Speaker! Leadsom should now resign! @BBCNews
— Barry Sheerman (@BarrySheerman) May 18, 2018
Is @BarrySheerman REALLY trying to mansplain why a professional woman, when sworn at and called useless at her place of work, should take the blame? Women, know your place! https://t.co/Sszzg6wjnq
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) May 18, 2018
Thank you for explaining to me who my colleague, Andrea Leadsom, is. How would my silly little female head have known that without your help? I still think the idea that you think SHE should lose HER job for being publicly sworn at and upbraided is ridiculous!
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) May 18, 2018
Yeah, your right. “Stupid woman” and “f***ing useless” is just out-and-out abusive. Funny there’s been no denial, even though you’re calling for HER head….
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) May 18, 2018
Sheerman then got very confused about the basic facts, suggesting the Leadsom-Bercow row happened in a private meeting and not in the Commons:
Let’s be clear who told the media what transpired in a private meeting & who would be likely to gain by leaking it to media? #GrowupGuido
— Barry Sheerman (@BarrySheerman) May 18, 2018
He then made up a fake “inside source”:
Inside source tells me Prime Minister stoking up row over Leadsom & Speaker to distract attention from monumental new bust up in cabinet! @BBCNews
— Barry Sheerman (@BarrySheerman) May 18, 2018
Sheerman was the first serving MP to register as a lobbyist. He abuses his position to shill for products directly linked to his lobbying activities. This mad conflict of interest should obviously not be allowed to happen, Sheerman has got away with it because the Speaker has not cracked down on him. Now Sheerman is returning the favour, as pro-Bercow Labour MPs continue to make a mockery of parliament’s response to bullying. Step away from the keyboard, Barry.
Number 10 twist the knife into Bercow:
“PM has seen the alleged remarks and clearly thinks they are unacceptable. If a complaint is made then it should be fully investigated.”
Could the Speaker’s time finally be up?
