Esther Rantzen's bid to become an MP
- 00:01:35
- ITN
Esther Rantzen's bid to become an MP
Michael Martin is to step down as Speaker on Sunday June 21 following unprecedented criticism over his handling of the expenses scandal. A very short emergency statement to a packed Commons came ahead of crisis talks on MPs' expenses with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tory leader David Cameron and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg. The meeting was followed by Mr Brown's monthly press conference at No 10 during which the Prime Minister said any Labour Party member found to have defied rules on expenses would not stand at the next General Election. Mr Brown said major changes are needed to the way Parliament is run to end "all the misuses and misjudgements of the past". In his statement, Mr Martin said: "Since I came to this House 30 years ago I've always felt the House is at its best when it is united. In order that unity can be maintained, I have decided that I will relinquish the office of Speaker on Sunday June 21. "This will allow the House to proceed to elect a new Speaker on Monday June 22. That is all I have to say on this matter." Mr Martin then swiftly moved onto other business. His spokesperson later added he would also stand down as MP for Glasgow North East on the same date, sparking a by-election in the traditionally safe Labour seat. Tory MP Ann Widdecombe is already being mooted as an interim Speaker who could fill the post up until the next General Election when she has already announced she will retire. The level of support is likely to be low but Tory MP Nigel Evans said: "The institution of Parliament is in need of serious reform. I would like to see Ann Widdecombe in the Speaker's chair helping to lead that reform." This is the first time a Speaker has effectively been forced from office since Sir John Trevor was found guilty by the House of a "high crime and misdemeanour" for accepting a bribe in 1695. Mr Martin's future was thrown into doubt following extraordinary scenes in the Commons. He said on Monday that he was "profoundly sorry" for his part in what had happened in the expenses scandal. Yet when he showed no indication that he was prepared to go, a series of MPs rose to demand he stand aside or allow the vote of no confidence that was gathering support among MPs. Backers included Labour's Kate Hoey and Lib Dem Norman Baker - the two MPs rebuked last week by Mr Martin over comments they had made, to the dismay of many MPs. Mr Martin's announcement comes as Tory MP Douglas Hogg said he will not stand at the next election, following controversy over his own expenses. And Prime Minister Gordon Brown said no MP who had defied the rules on expenses will be allowed to stand as a Labour candidate. There was widespread unhappiness across Westminster over Mr Martin's handling of the whole issue of MPs' expenses - with some seeing him as an obstacle to reform of the system. Meanwhile, in the latest disclosure over MPs' expenses, the Daily Telegraph reported the Labour MP John Austin claimed more than £10,000 for the redecoration of his London flat - which was just 11 miles from his main home - before selling for a profit. The newspaper reported that the leftwing MP for Erith and Thamesmead had made £30,000 when he sold the flat in Southwark, south London, in 2006. It said he then bought a new flat just 1.5 miles away, claiming £10,000 in stamp duty and other expenses incurred in the move and a further £15,000 on a new bathroom, kitchen, carpets, and appliances.
ITN | May 19, 2009
