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LONDON — John Bercow engaged in “serious and sustained bullying” of staff during his time as the ultimate authority in the U.K. House of Commons, an independent report has concluded.
In what amounted to an “abuse of power,” Bercow subjected parliamentary officials to verbal abuse and created an atmosphere of intimidation, according to an independent panel which examines Westminster’s most serious allegations of misconduct.
The ex-Conservative MP stood down in 2019 after a decade as one of the most colorful and divisive Speakers to have held the role, reforming some of Westminster’s antiquated practices and frustrating some of Theresa May’s efforts to finalize a Brexit deal.
Twenty-one bullying complaints raised by three parliamentary colleagues were upheld by the panel after an investigation lasting almost two years. Further complaints by a fourth official were rejected.
Bercow has been handed a ban from parliament and a formal reprimand, the only sanctions available against a former MP.
He condemned the findings as a “travesty of justice,” claiming that Parliamentary Commissioner Kathryn Stone had presided over an “amateurish” investigation.
He contended the evidence against him was “based on tittle tattle and malicious gossip.”
After leaving parliament, Bercow became an open critic of Brexit and Boris Johnson.
He was nominated for a peerage by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, but it was blocked because of the ongoing inquiry into his behavior, making him the first Speaker in 230 years not to ascend to the House of Lords. He later joined the Labour Party.
The upheld allegations were brought by Robert Rogers, the former clerk of the Commons, and former private secretaries, Kate Emms and Angus Sinclair.
David Leakey, who held the key ceremonial role of Black Rod while Bercow was Speaker, had his claims rejected.
Source: Politico
