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Brown: I've confidence in Speaker Brown: I've confidence in Speaker
(10 minutes later)
The prime minister has said he has a "great deal of confidence" in House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin.The prime minister has said he has a "great deal of confidence" in House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin.
Mr Martin has been criticised after one of his staff allowed the Commons office of Tory MP Damian Green to be searched as part of a Home Office leaks inquiry. Mr Martin has been criticised after not stopping the Commons office of Tory MP Damian Green to be searched as part of a Home Office leaks inquiry.
Gordon Brown told the BBC the Speaker had a "very difficult job" and was doing it "to the best of his ability".Gordon Brown told the BBC the Speaker had a "very difficult job" and was doing it "to the best of his ability".
On Wednesday, House of Commons leader Harriet Harman declined to say that she had confidence in Mr Martin.On Wednesday, House of Commons leader Harriet Harman declined to say that she had confidence in Mr Martin.
Consent form
Her government colleague, housing minister Margaret Beckett, also refused to endorse him, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It is not for the government to pronounce on the Speaker; the Speaker is elected by the House."Her government colleague, housing minister Margaret Beckett, also refused to endorse him, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It is not for the government to pronounce on the Speaker; the Speaker is elected by the House."
Mr Martin gave a statement to MPs on Wednesday to explain how officers were able to enter and search Mr Green's office.Mr Martin gave a statement to MPs on Wednesday to explain how officers were able to enter and search Mr Green's office.
He said, one of his officials, the Serjeant at Arms, had signed a consent form allowing the action, rather than requiring police to produce a warrant.He said, one of his officials, the Serjeant at Arms, had signed a consent form allowing the action, rather than requiring police to produce a warrant.
Difficult job
Mr Martin promised that in future a warrant would be needed for all such searches and that a committee of seven senior MPs would be set up look at the issue.Mr Martin promised that in future a warrant would be needed for all such searches and that a committee of seven senior MPs would be set up look at the issue.
In his radio interview, when Mr Brown was asked whether he had confidence in the Speaker, he replied: "Yes. It's a very difficult job for the Speaker of the House of Commons because when the issue arises, he has got to make a judgement based on his knowledge." Mr Brown was asked on BBC Radio 5 Live whether he had confidence in the Speaker, replying: "Yes. It's a very difficult job for the Speaker of the House of Commons because when the issue arises, he has got to make a judgement based on his knowledge."
He said Ms Harman's answers to the same questions on Wednesday were because she wanted to make clear that the Speaker was not a government official or appointee. He added: "I've got a great deal of confidence in the Speaker. He's got a very difficult job and he tries to do it, and does it, to the best of his ability."
Her intention had been to make clear it was a different situation to when the government is asked to express confidence in an under-pressure minister. Questioned about Ms Harman's comments, Mr Brown said she had been trying to point out that the government had no say in whether a Speaker should remain in office or otherwise.
It was not as if the government had "some control over the Speaker", he said, adding: "We don't. He is appointed by the whole House of Commons."
Mr Green was arrested last Thursday and held for nine hours by the Metropolitan Police, while all his homes and offices were searched.Mr Green was arrested last Thursday and held for nine hours by the Metropolitan Police, while all his homes and offices were searched.
Earlier, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said that no minister had had prior knowledge that he was under investigation or was going to be arrested.Earlier, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said that no minister had had prior knowledge that he was under investigation or was going to be arrested.