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25/02/2008
PM Defends Commons Speaker
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has defended Commons Speaker Michael Martin, calling him a "very, very good speaker".
Mr Brown said that Mr Martin's future was "a matter for the House of Commons".
The Commons Speaker has also been publicly defended by a number of other MPs, including Health Secretary Alan Johnson and Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg, although there have been reports that some MPs are believed to want him to step down.
Mr Martin, who has been overseeing a committee conducting an inquiry into MPs' expenses, has faced allegations over the use of air miles, earned on official trips, by family members.
His spokesperson Mike Granatt also resigned after he refuted a story about Mr Martin's wife Mary claiming more than £4,000 in taxpayer-funded allowances for taxi trips.
Mr Granatt said that he was resigning from his post for "ethical reasons" and said that officials had not informed him of all the facts on the issue. However, he said that Mr Martin was not at fault over the issue.
A report in the Sunday Times also said that Mr Martin had claimed money for his second home in Scotland and costs for using it as an office.
(KMcA)
Mr Brown said that Mr Martin's future was "a matter for the House of Commons".
The Commons Speaker has also been publicly defended by a number of other MPs, including Health Secretary Alan Johnson and Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg, although there have been reports that some MPs are believed to want him to step down.
Mr Martin, who has been overseeing a committee conducting an inquiry into MPs' expenses, has faced allegations over the use of air miles, earned on official trips, by family members.
His spokesperson Mike Granatt also resigned after he refuted a story about Mr Martin's wife Mary claiming more than £4,000 in taxpayer-funded allowances for taxi trips.
Mr Granatt said that he was resigning from his post for "ethical reasons" and said that officials had not informed him of all the facts on the issue. However, he said that Mr Martin was not at fault over the issue.
A report in the Sunday Times also said that Mr Martin had claimed money for his second home in Scotland and costs for using it as an office.
(KMcA)
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Cut Wesminster Summer Break: Bercow
Summer recess at Westminster should be cut, the Commons Speaker has said. John Bercow said he recognised voters' disbelief at the current 12 week break. MPs dissolve from Parliament between mid-July until October, but the Speaker said he believes this period is unnecessary.
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Commons Speak Michael Martin has remained resolute in his address to MPs today despite continued calls for his resignation. In a speech, marred by unprecedented challenges from the benches, Mr Martin put forward a number of proposals for the reformation of MPs expenses.
Speaker "Profoundly Sorry"
Commons Speak Michael Martin has remained resolute in his address to MPs today despite continued calls for his resignation. In a speech, marred by unprecedented challenges from the benches, Mr Martin put forward a number of proposals for the reformation of MPs expenses.
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Bercow Urges Vote For Deputies
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Bercow Urges Vote For Deputies
Deputy speakers should be elected by MPs rather than party whips, the new commons speaker John Bercow has told parliament. Following his own appointment by secret ballot, Mr Bercow said his three deputies should also be elected by members of the House, with at least one selected from each side of the chamber.
20 May 2009
Archbishop Defends Speaker, Attacking 'Selfishness' Of MPs
A senior Scottish clergyman has weighed in on the ongoing MPs' expenses row, lambasting parliamentarians for "hounding" the Speaker out of office. Mario Conti, the Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, said the pressure put on Michael Martin to resign was contrived to deflect attention off MPs themselves.
Archbishop Defends Speaker, Attacking 'Selfishness' Of MPs
A senior Scottish clergyman has weighed in on the ongoing MPs' expenses row, lambasting parliamentarians for "hounding" the Speaker out of office. Mario Conti, the Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, said the pressure put on Michael Martin to resign was contrived to deflect attention off MPs themselves.
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