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Embattled Speaker to meet leaders Embattled Speaker to meet leaders
(about 1 hour later)
The Commons Speaker will convene an urgent meeting of party leaders later to discuss reforming MPs' expenses, as he battles to hold onto his position. The Commons Speaker is to meet party leaders to discuss expenses reforms, as pressure mounts for him to quit.
Michael Martin has been fiercely criticised by some MPs and faces calls to quit over his handling of the row. On Monday Michael Martin apologised for his role in events but a succession of MPs stood up to tell him to go.
He told MPs on Monday he was "profoundly sorry" for his role. He is blamed by some for efforts to keep expenses secret but others say he is being made a scapegoat.
Meanwhile, Labour's ruling National Executive Committee will meet to discuss what should be done about any Labour MPs who have broken the rules. A no confidence motion has been signed by 23 MPs. Meanwhile Labour chiefs are to discuss the future of two Labour MPs suspended over their expenses claims.
The meeting of the NEC will discuss claims of allowance abuses by its MPs. The party's ruling National Executive Committee will meet to discuss what should be done about any of its MPs who have broken the rules.
Immediate proposals
It is understood that it will focus on two MPs suspended from the party - former minister Elliot Morley and David Chaytor - for claiming for mortgage interest payments when their mortgages had been paid off.It is understood that it will focus on two MPs suspended from the party - former minister Elliot Morley and David Chaytor - for claiming for mortgage interest payments when their mortgages had been paid off.
'Square one' The motion of no confidence in the Speaker - MP for Glasgow North East - has been formally placed on Tuesday's Commons order paper.
Meanwhile a motion of no confidence in the Speaker has been formally placed on Tuesday's Commons order paper.
Twenty-three MPs have now signed the motion, which calls on Mr Martin to step down over his handling of the expenses affair.
The motion has been tabled by Conservative backbencher Douglas Carswell, but former Tory minister Peter Bottomley has tabled an amendment, saying that the Speaker himself is "best placed to decide when to retire from office".
BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said that the meeting organised by Mr Martin for all party leaders was intended to thrash out immediate proposals to reform the allowances system.
If they cannot agree - and they did not the last time they met a few weeks ago - Mr Martin is back to square one, our correspondent added.
THE SPEAKER'S ROLE The Speaker controls the proceedings of the House of Commons, chairing debates, keeping order and calling on MPs to speakThe Speaker is also responsible for the running of much of Parliament - including the Fees OfficeThe Speaker represents the House of Commons' independence in dealing with the monarchySpeakers are elected by MPs in a Commons vote, traditionally remaining in the role until retirement or death and re-elected automatically after general electionsMichael Martin was elected following the retirement of Betty Boothroyd in 2000 Q&A: Speaker under pressure What future for MPs' expenses? Cameron starts election petition In full: Speaker's statementTHE SPEAKER'S ROLE The Speaker controls the proceedings of the House of Commons, chairing debates, keeping order and calling on MPs to speakThe Speaker is also responsible for the running of much of Parliament - including the Fees OfficeThe Speaker represents the House of Commons' independence in dealing with the monarchySpeakers are elected by MPs in a Commons vote, traditionally remaining in the role until retirement or death and re-elected automatically after general electionsMichael Martin was elected following the retirement of Betty Boothroyd in 2000 Q&A: Speaker under pressure What future for MPs' expenses? Cameron starts election petition In full: Speaker's statement
Mr Martin did not mention his future in a statement to the Commons on Monday on the expenses furore - instead he set out proposed action to reform the system. It has been tabled by Conservative backbencher Douglas Carswell, but former Tory minister Peter Bottomley has tabled an amendment, saying that the Speaker himself is "best placed to decide when to retire from office".
A succession of MPs challenged him openly, saying they wanted a debate and no confidence vote. The meeting organised by Mr Martin for all party leaders is intended to thrash out immediate proposals to reform the allowances system - ahead of the findings of an independent review, due in the autumn.
The calls follow more than a week of damaging newspaper revelations about MPs' expenses and criticism of the way Mr Martin has handled the affair. But a meeting of party leaders on the same issue several weeks ago failed to reach agreement.
In his statement, Mr Martin apologised for the expenses scandal and outlined steps he would be taking ahead of the findings of an independent inquiry into the allowances system, expected in the autumn. Conservative leader David Cameron has repeatedly refused to call for the Speaker to go, saying it would not be right for the main opposition party to do so.
In the meantime the Glasgow North East MP urged members not to submit expenses claims for approval. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The Speaker has got to be above party politics. I will go to that meeting to discuss what we can do to clean up MPs' allowances."
He said: "We all bear a heavy responsibility for the terrible damage to the reputation of this House. We must do everything we possibly can to regain the trust and confidence of the people." 'Difficult questions'
The Speaker's critics blame him for various attempts to block requests in recent years to have expenses details released under Freedom of Information laws. But he said the no confidence motion should be debated, if signed by enough MPs.
"Clearly the Speaker is in a difficult position, he has to answer a series of very difficult questions," he added.
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the government controlled whether the no confidence motion would be given time for debate.
David Cameron: "Speaker has to be above politics"
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg - who has openly called for Mr Martin to go and has said he is "minded" to sign the no confidence motion himself - will also be at the meeting.
He told the BBC if the government would not allow the debate, he was "already looking at ways I can call that debate and the vote".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown declined to give Mr Martin his backing, saying that "the decision about who is Speaker is a matter for the House of Commons - it could never be a matter for the government".
In a statement to the Commons on the expenses furore on Monday, Mr Martin did not mention his future - instead he set out proposed action to reform the system.
In a statement aimed at the public, he told MPs "We must all accept the blame and, to the extent that I have contributed to the situation, I am profoundly sorry. Now each and every member, including myself, must work hard to regain your trust."
1695
He also urged MPs not to file expenses claims until a new set of rules are agreed upon for the interim period before Sir Christopher Kelly's independent inquiry reports back.
But a succession of MPs challenged him openly, saying they wanted a debate and no confidence vote.
It follows more than a week of damaging newspaper revelations about MPs' expenses and criticism of the way Mr Martin has handled the affair.
His critics blame him for various attempts to block requests in recent years to have expenses details released under Freedom of Information laws.
And he angered many by attacking MPs who had pressed for more transparency or criticised his decision to ask the police to investigate the leaking of expenses details to the Daily Telegraph.And he angered many by attacking MPs who had pressed for more transparency or criticised his decision to ask the police to investigate the leaking of expenses details to the Daily Telegraph.
For MPs to openly criticise the Speaker breaks a long-standing Commons convention and the last time a Speaker was forced from office was in 1695 - when Sir John Trevor was found guilty by the House of "a high crime and misdemeanour".For MPs to openly criticise the Speaker breaks a long-standing Commons convention and the last time a Speaker was forced from office was in 1695 - when Sir John Trevor was found guilty by the House of "a high crime and misdemeanour".
Under-fire Speaker addresses MPs
Mr Martin has been urged to stand down by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who has said he was minded to sign the motion of no confidence, although is yet to do so.
Mr Clegg told the BBC after the debate that it was now up to the government to decide whether Mr Martin's future was debated but added: "If the government won't do that I'm already looking at ways I can call that debate and the vote."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown declined to give Mr Martin his backing, saying that "the decision about who is Speaker is a matter for the House of Commons - it could never be a matter for the government".