SOME SENIOR British MPs have predicted that speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin could be forced from office within the week after unprecedented challenges to his authority.
Mr Martin faced an extraordinary series of demands that he step down after a statement about the Westminster expenses scandal that failed to address the question of his own future. The speaker announced he was inviting the leaders of all the political parties to talks this afternoon in search of agreement on interim reforms to the Westminster system ahead of Sir Christopher Kelly's review and recommendations scheduled for autumn. That initiative came as an inquiry was launched into the latest outrage uncovered by the Daily Telegraph– this time involving suggestions Commons officials colluded with Labour MP Ben Chapman, and others, in allowing them to overclaim interest payments on mortgages they had already paid off. Mr Chapman said he was "very distressed" by the news of an inquiry into an arrangement from which he benefited by £15,000 over a 10-month period. "Everything was done openly," he said yesterday. "Whatever I've done, I've been entirely open and above-board with the authorities of parliament and I'm distressed that this has occurred." There is some speculation that success at today's meeting of party leaders – which is by no means guaranteed – might give Mr Martin "cover" to make a further statement before the Whitsun recess declaring his contribution made while also confirming his intention to stand down before the summer holidays.
Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell, however, told the BBC the speaker had rejected such advice from people like himself over the weekend and that “he will not resign”. Labour MP Gordon Prentice, on the other hand, challenged Sir Stuart’s contention that Mr Martin would win any vote of confidence, while pressure mounted on the government to provide time for a debate on a substantive motion.
Conservative MP Douglas Carswell continued gathering cross-party support for the “no confidence” motion he will table today, after telling the speaker he was “simply not up to the job of cleaning up Westminster”.
He and other critics reacted furiously after Mr Martin confirmed what they would have known – that Mr Carswell’s “early day motion” is not a “substantive” motion that could be debated on the floor. Various procedural avenues were being explored last night, with the possibility the challenge to the speaker could be mounted by way of an Opposition party “supply day” debate.
Mr Prentice, however, reflected the belief of many MPs that events were running out of control. “It’s inconceivable that a motion of no confidence in the speaker can lie on the order paper indefinitely,” he said. Mr Prentice continued: “It has to be debated. I don’t think speaker Martin will survive this week.”
Liberal Democrat Norman Baker echoed that prediction, saying the speaker “completely blew it” with yesterday’s statement apologising to the country on behalf of himself and all MPs but giving no indication that he would bow to pressure and go. “The Speaker has signed his own political death warrant,” said Mr Baker: “I give him less than a week.”
DUP leader Peter Robinson has positioned himself close to Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in acknowledging there is “a very good case” for saying MPs should not profit from the sale of the portion of any second home paid for by the taxpayer.