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Expenses row 'hurt' Commons image | Expenses row 'hurt' Commons image |
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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. | 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 said he 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. |
He said: "I think the change for the worse over the past six months has been seismic, it has been cataclysmic." | He said: "I think the change for the worse over the past six months has been seismic, it has been cataclysmic." |
But he told the BBC he did not think the damage was irreversible. | But he told the BBC he did not think the damage was irreversible. |
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". | 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. | The public mood would change only when "decisive, fundamental and irrevocable changes" were made, he said. |
Reformer | Reformer |
He said new Members of Parliament after a general election next year would bring a fresh approach. | He said new Members of Parliament after a general election next year would bring a fresh approach. |
And he would like the public to have improved powers to petition Parliament. | 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. | 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. | |
When he was asked about his personal standing, Mr Bercow said he did not give a moment's thought as to whether his position would be challenged and that he tried to rise above any abuse. | |
"The best response to doubt, scepticism, criticism, and indeed, abuse is not talk but to act," he said. | |
"I have every intention of continuing, of accelerating, the work I'm doing and redoubling my efforts, seeking to give satisfaction to Parliament." | |
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. |
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. |