Former Speaker John Bercow naming employees in ebook ‘was unacceptable’

The Home of Commons has accused John Bercow of naming ex-staff in his autobiography with out their permission, saying this was “unacceptable”.

In his ebook, Unspeakable, the previous Commons Speaker hits again at accusations of bullying made in opposition to him by particular person employees members.

A Commons spokesperson mentioned workers had a “proper to anticipate that their privateness be revered”.

Mr Bercow has been contacted for a response.

He give up as Speaker in October after greater than 10 years within the function.

The Commons has not named the staff it’s involved about.

In his ebook, printed on Thursday, Mr Bercow is complimentary about some employees members however says he “by no means fully warmed” to at least one worker, who was “a little bit abrupt” in direction of him.

Mr Bercow says he and one other colleague had been “chalk and cheese” when it got here to the difficulty of Commons reform, and that they “had not gelled”.

A Commons spokesperson mentioned: “Home of Commons employees work extremely arduous to allow the efficient functioning of our democracy and have a proper to anticipate that their privateness be revered. It’s unacceptable to publicly title present or former employees with out their prior data or authority, particularly for the aim of monetary acquire or industrial success.

“A vital aspect of the work of Home of Commons employees is to supply confidential, neutral recommendation to MPs. Breaking this confidentiality undermines this necessary precept and likewise locations employees ready from which they’re unable to reply.”

Earlier this week, Mr Bercow confirmed that he had been proposed for a peerage by outgoing Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn.

However he has urged Downing Avenue is searching for to dam his appointment to Parliament’s higher chamber.