House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin to stand down

May 19 2009 by Jonathan Walker

UNDER-fire Michael Martin was this afternoon set to announce his intention to stand down as House of Commons Speaker, as the controversy over MPs’ expenses claimed its biggest victim.

Whitehall sources confirmed Mr Martin would make a statement to the House at 2.30pm setting out his intentions.

The move comes at the end of a tumultuous few days which has seen growing criticism of Mr Martin’s handling of the expenses row.

Walsall North Labour MP David Winnick, who directly called on him to go, welcomed the move.

“That is the right and honourable course to take. His resignation will be the first step in the House recovering its reputation,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the Speaker said: “I can confirm that the Speaker is making a statement this afternoon and that it is about himself.”

She said Mr Martin would still be going ahead with his meeting with the party leaders at 4.30pm to discuss reform of the system of MPs’ expenses.

The news broke as the motion of no confidence in Mr Martin tabled by Tory backbencher Douglas Carswell appeared on the Commons Order Paper for the first time with the signatures of 23 MPs.