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Bercow says Commons' image 'hurt' Expenses row 'hurt' Commons image
(40 minutes later)
The Commons Speaker has said the last six months, which saw the MPs' expenses scandal, were disastrous for the standing of the House. The Commons Speaker has said the last six months, which saw the MPs' expenses scandal, were disastrous for the standing and reputation of the House.
John Bercow backed reforms that would see MPs forced to rent rather than buy second homes and prevent them from employing their relatives. John Bercow said he backed reforms that would see MPs forced to rent rather than buy second homes, and prevent them from employing their relatives.
And he would like the public to have improved powers to petition Parliament. He said: "I think the change for the worse over the past six months has been seismic, it has been cataclysmic."
He told the BBC new Members of Parliament after a general election next year would bring a fresh approach. But he told the BBC he did not think the damage was irreversible.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he also said he supported the introduction of a creche in Parliament. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said it was not good enough to think "the fuss will subside, protests will die down, things will return to normal after a passage of time".
The public mood would change only when "decisive, fundamental and irrevocable changes" were made, he said.
ReformerReformer
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins says Mr Bercow has cast himself as a reformer since his election to the Speaker's chair in June. He said new Members of Parliament after a general election next year would bring a fresh approach.
But he is not popular with all the current members of the Commons, our correspondent adds. And he would like the public to have improved powers to petition Parliament.
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said Mr Bercow had cast himself as a reformer since his election to the Speaker's chair in June.
But he is not popular with all the current members of the Commons, our correspondent added.
When he was asked about his personal standing, Mr Bercow said he did not give a moment's thought to whether his position would be challenged and that he tried to rise above any abuse.When he was asked about his personal standing, Mr Bercow said he did not give a moment's thought to whether his position would be challenged and that he tried to rise above any abuse.
Parliament was hit by controversy when leaked details of MPs' expenses claims since 2004 were published by the Daily Telegraph in May.Parliament was hit by controversy when leaked details of MPs' expenses claims since 2004 were published by the Daily Telegraph in May.
Revamp of system
The revelations led to a host of MPs announcing they would stand down, and a revamp of the entire expenses system being drawn up by Sir Christopher Kelly.The revelations led to a host of MPs announcing they would stand down, and a revamp of the entire expenses system being drawn up by Sir Christopher Kelly.
An audit carried out by Sir Thomas Legg called on MPs to repay some claims, but 80 MPs are challenging the requests.An audit carried out by Sir Thomas Legg called on MPs to repay some claims, but 80 MPs are challenging the requests.
Hundreds of MPs, including the three main UK party leaders, agreed to repay sums totalling thousands of pounds.Hundreds of MPs, including the three main UK party leaders, agreed to repay sums totalling thousands of pounds.