Common's Speaker Bercow heckled by MPs over job move
SPEAKER John Bercow was heckled by MPs yesterday as he was forced into a climbdown over a key role in Parliament.
Mr Bercow had backed Australian Carol Mills, who currently works for the Australian Senate, the Upper House of the Australian Parliament, to take the position of head clerk and chief executive of the House of Commons.
In the circumstances, I believe that a modest pause in the recruitment process is desirable while views of members are solicited in detail
Her recommendation has been criticised by MPs – with claims she does not have sufficient knowledge of the workings of Westminster.
More than 80 MPs signed a Commons motion calling for the person nominated to be scrutinised at a hearing before getting the job.
Other MPs, including former Leader of the Commons Peter Hain, want to see the job split into two, with the chief executive role separated from the advisory duties.
Mr Bercow said: “In the circumstances, I believe that a modest pause in the recruitment process is desirable while views of members are solicited in detail.”