John Bercow criticised for chairing debate on bullying in Parliament despite allegations against him

Speaker faces new probe over claims he shouted at and undermined staff member, forcing her to quit work with post-traumatic stress disorder

John Bercow has come under fire for presiding over a House of Commons debate on bullying in Parliament, despite himself having been accused of mistreating staff.

Conservative MP James Duddridge suggested it was inappropriate for the Commons Speaker to chair the discussion and claimed Mr Bercow was using taxpayers’ money to try to “suppress” allegations against him.

It follows claims the Speaker mistreated his former private secretary, Kate Emms, who left the post after less than a year in the job.

Witnesses told BBC Newsnight that Mr Bercow had shouted at and undermined Ms Emms, eventually leading to her being signed off sick from work with post-traumatic stress disorder. The Speaker has strongly denied the claims.

Responding to an urgent question from Green party co-leader Caroline Lucas on the issue of bullying in Parliament, Andrea Leadsom, leader of the House of Commons, announced a “short, independently led” inquiry into the allegations against Mr Bercow and two other MPs.

Mr Duddridge asked Ms Leadsom: “Is it appropriate that Mr Speaker remains in his place when there are allegations against him, which he is trying to suppress using taxpayer-funded money through sending out letters through Speaker’s Counsel?”

Ms Leadsom replied: “I think it’s absolutely vital that all colleagues join together in supporting the efforts being made by this House to stamp out all bullying and harassment wherever we see it and to ensure that everybody will be treated in the future with the respect and dignity that they deserve.”

Another Tory MP, Michael Fabricant, asked whether it was right that Mr Bercow should continue to chair a cross-party group of MPs and peers that is considering how to address allegations of bullying in Parliament.

Ms Leadsom insisted the investigation into specific allegations will be carried out independently.

Addressing MPs, she admitted the Newsnight revelations had highlighted that Parliament’s system for dealing with grievances “may not be sufficient to protect House staff”.

Ms Leadsom said: “I’m committed to stamping out all kinds of bullying and harassment in Parliament, in order to create an environment in which everyone feels safe and is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

Announcing the new investigation, she added: “I will propose that the inquiry should hear from past and current staff members about their experiences and help to provide them with closure wherever possible.

“Mr Speaker, I am more determined than ever that we banish all kinds of harassment and bullying from this place because make no mistake, there is a need for change.”

Labour MP Paul Farrelly, who was among those accused in the latest round of allegations, said he had been a “guinea pig” for a previous grievance policy that has since been replaced.

He said: “I was flayed by selective leaking then, six years ago, and it’s just happened again now.

“So I would ask the Leader of the House and honourable members, before they jump to judgment after what was a very one-sided, selective BBC broadcast, that they approach the cases that have been raised in a more balanced way.”

David Natzler, the clerk of the House of Commons, has promised to “revisit and renew” Parliament’s grievance process in an attempt to create a “culture free of bullying and harassment”.

He admitted Commons officials’ initial response “got it wrong in giving the impression that we were in denial” about the situation, adding: “I wholeheartedly apologise for that”.

“There is no doubt in my mind that there are unresolved issues over bullying and harassment which need to be addressed,” he said.