Bullying allegations against John Bercow a 'witch hunt' by disgruntled former staff, senior Commons official says

John Bercow is the victim of a “witch-hunt” over allegations he mistreated staff, a senior House of Commons official has said.

Kamal El-Hajji, the Serjeant-at-Arms, said bullying claims against Mr Bercow were a result of “previously disgruntled staff members” attempting to “settle scores”.

The Speaker is under pressure over a number of allegations that he behaved inappropriately towards colleagues and employees. He has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

Mr El-Hajji said current Commons staff were united in their belief that the accusations were part of a “witch-hunt”, including what he called "article after article in the daily newspapers containing speculation and accusations regarding the Speaker’s code of conduct and the allegedly ‘unprofessional’ way that he treats staff and colleagues working in Parliament”.

He wrote in The House magazine: "Due to a considerable lack of evidence supporting these allegations, it seems clear to me that there is a witch-hunt against him, whether it is coming from previously disgruntled staff members or ex-colleagues trying to settle old scores of some kind."

He said he had discussed the issue with other Commons officials, who he claimed were united in their support for Mr Bercow.

He said: “I have discussed these allegations at length with numerous colleagues and we share the same view — we feel that there is a witch hunt going on trying to discredit Mr Speaker."

Two of Mr Bercow’s former private secretaries have publicly accused him of mistreating them.

Angus Sinclair, who held the post between 2009 and 2010, accused the Speaker of “over-the-top anger”, including occasions on which he said he had been shouted at, sworn at and mimicked.

Mr Sinclair’s successor, Kate Emms, is also reported to have made complaints. She left her job after just nine months and said she suffered post-traumautic stress disorder.

David Leakey, who held the position of Black Rod for seven years, also claimed he had been the victim of "“intolerable” rudeness and “explosive” anger at the hands of Mr Bercow.

But Mr El-Hajji, who is the first BAME person to hold the post of Serjeant-at-Arms, praised Mr Bercow for his efforts to increase diversity in Parliament.

He said controversy over his appointment as Serjeant-at-Arms in 2015 meant the last few years had “not been very easy”.

He said: "It certainly felt like there were a lot of unhappy people because of my appointment, and the only viable explanation I can think of is that I am from an ethnic background.

"The support and guidance that Mr Speaker has showed me since I started is probably one of the main factors behind why I am still fulfilling this very prestigious role today.

He added: "Parliament has never in its history enjoyed the inclusion and diversity that it does today, and this is thanks to Mr Speaker's drive to make Parliament a place for talent, regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs, disability or any other sort of discriminatory factor."

"I felt it's important to stand up for what is right and to show support and solidarity to someone who has done such a great deal for Parliament and for the country."

Some MPs had called on Mr Bercow to resign over the allegations. However, others succeeded last month in blocking an inquiry by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.