7 Dec 2008

Labour MP urges UK Speaker to resign

10:56 am on 7 December 2008

A UK Labour Bob Marshall-Andrews has called for the Speaker of the Commons, Michael Martin, to resign.

The BBC reports he is the first Labour MP to publicly do so.

Tory MP Damian Green was arrested last week and his Westminster office was searched without a warrant by police investigating a complaint of leaks from the Home Office.

An official under Mr Martin granted the search, but Mr Marshall-Andrews said the Speaker should be held responsible.

Mr Marshall-Andrews said he no longer had any confidence in the Speaker.

Mr Green, the Tory immigration spokesman, was arrested last week and held for nine hours by the Metropolitan Police, while his homes and offices were searched.

The move has provoked outcry among MPs from all parties.

Mr Marshall-Andrews said the Speaker was guilty of "a deplorable breach of his duties to the house" and the office of an MP should be sacrosanct.

Issue to be debated

The BBC reports many MPs question whether the Speaker is doing enough to protect their rights and guard Parliament's ability to hold the government to account.

Two Conservative MPs have also called for Mr Martin to stand down.

MPs will debate Parliament's response to the episode on Monday.