Defiant Filkin is still refusing to name names in new letter

The row over the parliamentary watchdog Elizabeth Filkin intensified yesterday with the revelation that she has written a third letter to the Speaker protesting about a whispering campaign against her.

Michael Martin, the Speaker of the House of Commons, had challenged Mrs Filkin to identify ministers and MPs – alleged to include friends of Keith Vaz and Peter Mandelson – she says briefed against her.

But in her reply she again refuses to "name names" because, she says, the whole issue is in the public domain.

Last night, the House of Commons Commission – which administers the affairs of the House – held an emergency meeting to debate whether to agree to a request by Mrs Filkin to publish her three letters, in which she asserts that MPs, civil servants and ministers tried to undermine her.

MPs on the powerful Standards and Privileges Committee have asked the Speaker and fellow MPs on the commission to publish her letters.

Robin Cook, the leader of the House, who sits on the commission, is said to have urged openness and is worried that the controversy surrounding Mrs Filkin is damaging the reputation of Parliament.

But at yesterday's meeting he is believed to have been opposed by other commission members who say that releasing a letter from an employee of the House of Commons will set an unwelcome precedent.

The commission has hired a PR man – who also works for the Royal Family – to salvage its reputation. Jon Stonborough, who sat in on yesterday's meeting, was brought in after damaging stories about the commission's treatment of Mrs Filkin and its decision to make her reapply for her own job.