Bercow 'dismayed' over BBC leak

Speaker John Bercow has told MPs he is "dismayed" that his plans for deputy speaker elections was leaked to the BBC before he announced it in the Commons.

He said the leak had not come from him or his office but said he had consulted with government and opposition whips as a courtesy ahead of the leak happening.

He warned he would stop consulting if his plans were leaked in future.

The new Speaker has pledged to end the practice of many policy moves appearing in the media before MPs hear them.

But when he announced to MPs last Thursday that he wanted them to vote in elections to choose his deputy speakers - he was challenged about why the news had appeared, half an hour earlier, on the BBC website.

Will not tolerate

Conservative whip Simon Burns urged him to hold an inquiry to find out how the information was given to the BBC.

Addressing MPs on Monday, Mr Bercow said he had consulted the party whips as a courtesy before making the statement.

"I am confident that this leak did not come from my staff and I know that it did not come from me," he said.

He said he hoped he could consult in future before making statements but added: "I give notice today that if such a leak occurs on any future occasion I shall no longer feel under any obligation to hold such consultations in advance.

"I am sorry that I have to be so blunt so early in my Speakership but this sort of behaviour is precisely what harms the reputation of this House and I do not intend to tolerate it."

Mr Bercow was elected Speaker in June on a reforming platform after his predecessor Michael Martin became the first Speaker to be forced to quit in 300 years, over his handling of the expenses scandal.

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