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Former Speaker John Bercow demands apology over £1m I'm a Celebrity claim | Former Speaker John Bercow demands apology over £1m I'm a Celebrity claim |
(about 1 hour later) | |
John Bercow is demanding an apology from the Daily Mirror over claims he asked for £1m to appear on "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!" | John Bercow is demanding an apology from the Daily Mirror over claims he asked for £1m to appear on "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!" |
The outgoing Commons Speaker has accused the paper of "publishing lies despite being advised of the truth" and has complained to the press watchdog. | The outgoing Commons Speaker has accused the paper of "publishing lies despite being advised of the truth" and has complained to the press watchdog. |
The Mirror claimed talks between Mr Bercow and ITV broke down over the size of his appearance fee. | The Mirror claimed talks between Mr Bercow and ITV broke down over the size of his appearance fee. |
It said it stood by its story, which was based on "authoritative sources". | It said it stood by its story, which was based on "authoritative sources". |
However, the newspaper also said it was "happy to accept" that Mr Bercow had "no serious desire to appear" on the programme. | However, the newspaper also said it was "happy to accept" that Mr Bercow had "no serious desire to appear" on the programme. |
Mr Bercow, who retired on Thursday after 10 years in the Speaker's chair, is understood to be furious about the story. | Mr Bercow, who retired on Thursday after 10 years in the Speaker's chair, is understood to be furious about the story. |
'Utterly trashy' | 'Utterly trashy' |
In a letter to the Mirror's showbiz editor, he said: "I must make it clear to you in the most uncompromising terms that I have not had the slightest interest now or at any time or an any basis to go on that programme." | In a letter to the Mirror's showbiz editor, he said: "I must make it clear to you in the most uncompromising terms that I have not had the slightest interest now or at any time or an any basis to go on that programme." |
He adds that he "did not at any time to anybody ask for £1m to go on the show, which I consider to be utterly trashy". | He adds that he "did not at any time to anybody ask for £1m to go on the show, which I consider to be utterly trashy". |
He demands an apology from the paper and threatens legal action, if the "false allegations" are repeated. | He demands an apology from the paper and threatens legal action, if the "false allegations" are repeated. |
The Mirror suggested representatives for Mr Bercow had been in talks with ITV about him appearing on the next series of the reality show, in which celebrities take part in a series of eye-watering challenges, such as eating insects or being trapped underground with snakes. | The Mirror suggested representatives for Mr Bercow had been in talks with ITV about him appearing on the next series of the reality show, in which celebrities take part in a series of eye-watering challenges, such as eating insects or being trapped underground with snakes. |
It said Mr Bercow had "allegedly demanded a £1m fee" for appearing in the next series, due to start in December. | It said Mr Bercow had "allegedly demanded a £1m fee" for appearing in the next series, due to start in December. |
This was £400,000 more than any previous contestant had received, the newspaper reported. | This was £400,000 more than any previous contestant had received, the newspaper reported. |
'Grave concern' | 'Grave concern' |
It suggested ITV had confirmed discussions had broken down over the question of Mr Bercow's fee, quoting an unnamed source saying "he has priced himself out of the market". | It suggested ITV had confirmed discussions had broken down over the question of Mr Bercow's fee, quoting an unnamed source saying "he has priced himself out of the market". |
Mr Bercow has written to the Independent Press Standards Organisation to claim it is factually untrue and a breach of the editor's code. | Mr Bercow has written to the Independent Press Standards Organisation to claim it is factually untrue and a breach of the editor's code. |
In its response, the watchdog said: "We are looking at the points you raise, and will be in touch shortly." | In its response, the watchdog said: "We are looking at the points you raise, and will be in touch shortly." |
In a text message to TV agent Nicki Clarke, who originally approached Mr Bercow with the idea of appearing, ITV talent producer Micky Van Praagh suggested the story was "obviously nonsense and I have no idea where it has come from". | In a text message to TV agent Nicki Clarke, who originally approached Mr Bercow with the idea of appearing, ITV talent producer Micky Van Praagh suggested the story was "obviously nonsense and I have no idea where it has come from". |
She added: "ITV has not confirmed that talks broke down because of money. Please can you apologise to John for me for the story." | She added: "ITV has not confirmed that talks broke down because of money. Please can you apologise to John for me for the story." |
In an e-mail to Mr Bercow, Ms Clarke, who works for Shine Talent Management, said the story was "incredibly frustrating" and she had expressed her "grave concern" to ITV about it. | In an e-mail to Mr Bercow, Ms Clarke, who works for Shine Talent Management, said the story was "incredibly frustrating" and she had expressed her "grave concern" to ITV about it. |
The Mirror said the story was "based on information from authoritative sources". | The Mirror said the story was "based on information from authoritative sources". |
"We are confident that conversations took place between ITV and a representative for John Bercow about appearing on I'm a Celebrity and that these talks broke down over money," a spokesman said. | "We are confident that conversations took place between ITV and a representative for John Bercow about appearing on I'm a Celebrity and that these talks broke down over money," a spokesman said. |
A host of politicians have appeared on I'm A Celebrity over the years, including Conservative MP Nadine Dorries and Boris Johnson's father, Stanley. | A host of politicians have appeared on I'm A Celebrity over the years, including Conservative MP Nadine Dorries and Boris Johnson's father, Stanley. |
Last month, Boris Johnson joked that he would like to see Mr Bercow perform the infamous Bushtucker Trial and eat a kangaroo's testicle. | Last month, Boris Johnson joked that he would like to see Mr Bercow perform the infamous Bushtucker Trial and eat a kangaroo's testicle. |