Labour accused of 'stitch-up' to anoint Beckett as Speaker

LABOUR has been accused of an "establishment stitch-up" as it emerged whips were putting pressure on MPs to back former Cabinet minister Margaret Beckett for the job of Commons Speaker in today's secret ballot.

The role, one of the most senior political positions, is being hotly contested by ten candidates in what is meant to be a free vote.

MPs are fearful that the competition could be decided if Labour uses its majority to push for Ms Beckett.

Her main rival for the job is Tory MP John Bercow, who is backed by many Labour MPs because he is unpopular with the Conservative leader David Cameron.

So far, many of the lead candidates have been embroiled in expenses controversies.

It emerged yesterday that Ms Beckett claimed £11,000 in gardening bills, Mr Bercow asked for £1,000 for tax advice and the Liberal Democrats' only contender, Alan Beith, charged taxpayers to rent a flat for his secretary during the general election campaign.

Labour MP Parmjit Dhanda, who at 37 is the youngest contender, also over-claimed for his mortgage interest by not adjusting his bill when rates dropped, although he said that he had under-claimed in previous months which offset this.

Labour MP Stephen Pound alluded to a conspiracy to push Ms Beckett. "It isn't on. If any of the whips out there are listening, stop doing it. We know what you're doing, you're going round touting Margaret Beckett," he said.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg accused Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Mr Cameron of being involved in an "establishment stitch-up" to block radical political reform.

He said he did not want a Speaker to be a "shop steward for the rights and privileges of MPs".

Mr Cameron and Mr Brown were "both involved in an elaborate establishment stitch-up".

He added: "I don't think they understand the depth of people's anger or the breadth of reform needed to clean up Parliament for good."

Meanwhile, the outgoing Commons Speaker Michael Martin said he quit after becoming a "lightning conductor" for gripes about the system and insisted: "If I had fought, I would have won."

SIR ALAN HASELHURST

The current deputy Speaker had angry exchanges with the Fees Office when he gave estimates, not bills, saying the practice had been the norm. He also repaid nearly £16,000 for gardening claims.

MARGARET BECKETT

The former Cabinet minister submitted claims for hanging baskets and garden plants, despite having earlier claims dismissed. She has claimed nearly £11,000 for gardening bills over seven years.

JOHN BERCOW

One of the top contenders charged twice for accountancy fees for his annual return. He also "flipped" his second home from his constituency to a £540,000 flat in London.

SIR ALAN BEITH

The only Liberal Democrat candidate used his expenses to pay £911 for a secretary to work from his constituency during the last election campaign. He said she did not do any campaigning.

PARMJIT DHANDA

The Labour MP and former minister over-claimed on his second home allowance by charging for more than the interest. He said he had under-claimed on other occasions. The youngest contender, at 37, claimed at least £8,300 in "petty cash" over four years.

ANN WIDDECOMBE

The former Tory minister spent £9,000 of public money on collecting material published on her through a newspaper cuttings service. She has barely claimed for a second home, preferring to commute from her Kent constituency instead.

SIR PATRICK CORMACK

The veteran Tory back-bencher claimed expenses for bills at both his second and main homes. He said it represented value for money as he was running two offices from home.

SIR MICHAEL LORD

The deputy Speaker charged £82 for seven copies of TV footage showing his role in a debate. He said constituents had asked for the coverage. He also claimed £4,800 to refurbish his bathroom.

SIR GEORGE YOUNG

The Tory MP claimed £152 for a second-hand camcorder bought on eBay to film himself for YouTube clips. He said constituents expected MPs to use "modern means of communications".

RICHARD SHEPHERD

The Tory MP has paid back £162 for home cleaning and gardening from his 2009 claims to pre-empt new rules. He has not repaid £6,200 for gardening expenses over the previous four years, however.