John Bercow's peerage hopes in fresh crisis after ex-Speaker condemned for naming staff members in autobiography

John Bercow’s hopes of a peerage are in fresh jeopardy after extraordinary criticism by Commons officials for naming staff members in his autobiography.

The controversial former Speaker – already embroiled in bullying allegations – was rapped for the “unacceptable” decision to identify staff without a right of reply, in his book ‘Unspeakable’.

The Commons also urged anyone who had suffered bullying to come forward – following high-profile complaints made against Mr Bercow by the former clerk of the House and Black Rod.

“Staff work incredibly hard to enable the effective functioning of our democracy and have a right to expect that their privacy be respected,” said a House of Commons spokesperson in a statement.

“It is unacceptable to publicly name current or former staff without their prior knowledge or authority, especially for the purpose of financial gain or commercial success.”

The criticism comes after Lieutenant General David Leakey, who served as Black Rod for seven years, that a peerage for Mr Bercow would be “a scandal which parliament would struggle to live down”.

He alleged the former Speaker had “brutalised people” and would “fly into a rage” with angry mood swings and outbursts.

Lord Lisvane has also protested about bullying, humiliation and use of inappropriate language to staff that he witnessed during his time as chief clerk to the Commons.

Mr Bercow has strongly denied the claims, insisting Mr Leakey was “completely and utterly ignorant” of the situation in an interview this week.

He is the first former Speaker in 230 years not to be automatically offered a peerage – after a Conservative belief that he attempted to block Brexit – but he has been nominated by Jeremy Corbyn.

However, in the statement, the Commons spokesperson added: “Parliament’s behaviour code makes clear the standards of behaviour expected of everyone in parliament, whether staff, members of the House of Lords, MPs or visitors.

“There is zero tolerance for abuse or harassment. We strongly encourage anyone who has experienced bullying or harassment in parliament to submit a complaint via the independent complaints and grievance scheme.

“In addition, all current and former staff can access the employee assistance programme for emotional support.”

On the naming of staff, the statement added: “A crucial element of the work of House of Commons staff is to provide confidential, impartial advice to MPs.

“Breaking this confidentiality undermines this important principle and also places staff in a position from which they are unable to respond.”

The dissolution honours list – and a decision on whether Mr Bercow should receive a peerage – has been held up in a blizzard of leaks about the names put forward.

A spokesman defended the ex-Speaker, saying: “Given there is a small but highly vocal group of people consistently seeking to blacken his name, it would be odd if Mr Bercow did not comment on their unfounded allegations and the reasons behind them.

“He was advised by Speaker's Counsel not to do so in detail while he was in office. He is therefore doing so now. If the book had not addressed these issues, he would rightly have been accused of serious omission.”