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Martin's parting shot on expenses Martin's parting shot on expenses
(30 minutes later)
Michael Martin has turned his fire on party leaders in his farewell address to MPs as Commons Speaker. Michael Martin has turned his fire on the party leaders in his farewell address to MPs as Commons Speaker.
He said he was "deeply disappointed" that MPs rejected reform proposals made by his committee in July last year.He said he was "deeply disappointed" that MPs rejected reform proposals made by his committee in July last year.
He said he wished "with all my heart" the party leaders had shown leadership on his proposals, which he said were the same as ones they now backed. He said he wished "with all my heart" the party leaders had shown leadership on the proposals, many of which he said were the same as ones they now backed.
He is standing down after nine years in the job following criticism of his reaction to the MP expenses scandal. Mr Martin is standing down after nine years following criticism of his reaction to the MP expenses scandal.
Mr Martin paid tribute to his staff and deputies and joked that his signature had now become a "collectors item" and bottles of Speaker Martin's Whisky were being sold on e-bay for £150. In his valedictory speech, Mr Martin paid tribute to his staff and deputies and joked that his signature had now become a "collectors item" and bottles of Speaker Martin's Whisky were being sold on e-bay for £150.
He earlier presided over a stormy final Prime Minister's Questions. 'Emotive issue'
Mr Martin had to step in to silence Labour MPs baying "more" at David Cameron, after he mentioned Europe. But he also said he wanted to set the record straight on the expenses issue.
He told MPs: "This subject has caused understandable loss of public trust and confidence in us all. In my 30 years in the House I have seen nothing like it.
"Let me say again to the men and women of this country I am sorry.
"But also let me remind this house that it passed up an opportunity of dealing with this emotive issue less than a year ago."
He also announced a cross-party inquiry into the arrest of Damian Green as part of a leaks inquiry, which led to criticism of his decision to allow officers to search the Tory MP's offices, and said he would give evidence to it. Mr Green was not charged.
He ended with a quotation from a Robert Burns poem, which ends with the words: "To step aside is human."
MPs on all sides gave Mr Martin a round of applause as he sat down.
'Collective responsibility'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown led tributes to Mr Martin, speaking of his humble beginnings as a sheet metal worker in Glasgow and his 30 years service as an MP.
Conservative leader David Cameron also paid tribute Mr Martin and wished him the "very best" in his retirement.
Referring to Mr Martin's criticism of the Commons for failing to back expenses reforms last year, Mr Cameron said that while not everyone had opposed them: "We all share collective responsibility for that delay and we all now have a responsibility to restore the reputation of this House."
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg paid tribute to his generosity in allowing him "in the circumstances" for allowing him to speak - Mr Clegg led calls for Mr Martin to step down.
"Whatever our differences you and I share a belief in the importance of democracy," said Mr Clegg, adding he had "shown us all how to temper great authority with great modesty".
Speaker Martin earlier presided over a stormy final Prime Minister's Questions with him in the chair.
'Great contribution'
Mr Martin had to step in to silence Labour MPs baying "more" at Mr Cameron, after he mentioned Europe.
But he also ticked off the Conservative leader for breaking protocol by telling Mr Brown directly: "You are simply not worthy to be prime minister."But he also ticked off the Conservative leader for breaking protocol by telling Mr Brown directly: "You are simply not worthy to be prime minister."
Mr Martin told MPs: "Even though it's my last day, the term 'you' is not something I can approve". Mr Martin told MPs: "Even though it's my last day, the term 'you' is not something I can approve."
Mr Brown began the half hour session by praising Martin's "great contribution to public life". Mr Martin announced his decision to quit as Speaker last month, following widespread criticism of his response to the MPs' expenses scandal.
He announced his decision to quit as Speaker last month, following widespread criticism of his response to the MPs expenses scandal.
A new Speaker will be elected on Monday from a field of 10 candidates.A new Speaker will be elected on Monday from a field of 10 candidates.
Michael Martin is the first Speaker to be forced from the post in more than 300 years.Michael Martin is the first Speaker to be forced from the post in more than 300 years.
He chose to step down after facing a motion of no confidence from MPs angry about his handling of the expenses issue and unconvinced he was the right man to lead efforts to reform Parliament.He chose to step down after facing a motion of no confidence from MPs angry about his handling of the expenses issue and unconvinced he was the right man to lead efforts to reform Parliament.
By convention he will also stand down as an MP, forcing a by-election in his Glasgow constituency.By convention he will also stand down as an MP, forcing a by-election in his Glasgow constituency.