Advisers 'let down' the Speaker

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Under-fire Commons Speaker Michael Martin has been let down by some of his advisers, a Labour MP has claimed.

Michael Connarty has also thrown his support behind Mr Martin, amid the Damian Green affair.

Thirty-two MPs questioned as part of BBC research say they no longer have confidence in the Speaker.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy also told BBC Scotland he had full confidence in Mr Martin, saying he was doing a very difficult job, very well.

The row erupted after Mr Green, the Tory immigration spokesman, was arrested and held for nine hours by the Metropolitan Police, while his homes and parliamentary office were searched, as part of an inquiry into allegations of leaks from the Home Office.

Many MPs, like myself, are absolutely stunned at what happened John BarrettMP for Edinburgh West

The move has provoked outcry among MPs from all parties, who say the police action represented a fundamental breach of their right to hold the government to account.

Mr Connarty, MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, told BBC Scotland's Politics Show said MPs were not above the law.

"If there's a situation where, either by arrangement or by incitement or by collusion, a member of parliament is in fact involved in a constant theft of documents from a senior member of the cabinet's office and knows this is going on, that's a serious criminal matter."

Mr Connarty went on to praise Mr Martin, the MP for Glasgow North East, adding: "We put an ordinary man in the place and he has many advisers - some of whom have let him down.

"An ordinary man has the right to be in that job it's not just [for] the rich boys, thank you very much."

'Bogus' inquiry

John Barrett, the Edinburgh West Liberal Democrat MP, said the police should have been asked if they had a warrant when they turned up to the Commons.

He said: "Many MPs, like myself, are absolutely stunned at what happened, the action by the police, and the poor response from the house authorities."

Mr Barrett went on: "I'm an optimist and I hope that the speaker delivers what MPs want to see and that is that he will not accept that things will be held back until the supposed and potentially bogus police inquiry is carried out."

Mr Murphy said of Speaker Martin: "He does a remarkably difficult job, very well," adding: "It is unfortunate that some members of parliament are now turning this into a party political row."