The Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow called a Cabinet Minister a ‘stupid woman’ and ‘f*****g useless’, it has been claimed.
His comments about Andrea Leadsom, Leader of the Commons, reportedly came shortly after Prime Minister’s Questions.
Mrs Leadsom, who is charge of tabling business for the Government, was given a dressing down by Mr Bercow over Commons procedure, The Sun reported.
John Bercow has been at the centre of allegations that he bullied staff
A Commons source said: ‘Mrs Leadsom did not hear the remark herself but was left stunned when told about it by outraged colleagues.
‘But she is very keen to rise above it and not let it distract from other very serious and worrying claims about bullying made in Parliament.’
The Speaker has been forced to deny allegations about bullying by former staff over recent weeks.
Angus Sinclair, who left his post as Speaker’s Secretary in 2010 after receiving a payment of £86,250, has said he was the victim of angry outbursts, foul- mouthed tirades and mimicry.
Former Black Rod David Leakey, who retired last year, has said staff were ‘terrified’ of the Speaker.
According to colleagues, Mrs Leadsom was left ‘stunned’ when she was told about the comments
An inquiry led by a former judge is looking at wider cultural issues at Westminster, but will not consider specific cases.
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen has asked parliament’s standards watchdog to examine the claims about the Speaker – which he insists are untrue. There has been speculation recently that Bercow could step down next year amid a Tory backlash and bullying allegations.
MPs close to Mr Bercow believe he could opt to quit rather than cling on to the crucial role until the next election in 2022.
However, he is said to want to go ‘on his own terms’ after serving a decade in the chair.
Mr Bercow’s spokeswoman said: ‘Wednesday was an unusual and controversial day in how business was handled in the House by the government – and some strong and differing views were expressed on all sides on the subject.
‘The Speaker treats his colleagues with respect and strives at every turn to facilitate the House of Commons.’