MP to launch bid to oust Speaker
Commons Speaker Michael Martin is facing an open rebellion from MPs as one announced his intention to table a "no confidence" motion.
Tory MP Douglas Carswell said he is actively canvassing colleagues from all parties to support his attempt to oust Mr Martin.
He broke ranks after the Speaker slapped down MPs for challenging him in the Commons over the handling of the expenses row.
Despite long-running disquiet about Mr Martin among backbenchers, it is notoriously difficult for MPs to oust a sitting Speaker because of the power he has in the chamber.
But Mr Carswell said: "Events this afternoon have probably made my job a little easier."
He accused the Speaker of failing to protect the reputation of MPs by introducing the necessary reforms of the system before the current controversies came to light.
"I'm fed up with my friends regarding me as a crook for doing my job," Mr Carswell said. "It is because of this man that we have got into this situation. Anyone who is capable of doing the job would have seen all of this coming and realised that in a modern democracy we need transparency.
"He failed to do that, but it's not just expenses - he has failed to make sure that as MPs we can hold the Government to account."
Mr Carswell said he was seeking six fellow MPs to support his motion before tabling it next week.
Mr Martin, who has long faced criticism for fighting greater openness over MPs' expenses, was visibly infuriated when he was challenged over the decision to refer the expenses leak to the police.
