Bercow attacks his wife's critics

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Commons Speaker John Bercow has attacked critics of his wife's decision to run for office as "old-fashioned, cowardly and downmarket".

Sally Bercow is standing as a Labour candidate for a seat on Westminster Council in May's local elections.

The Speaker told a journalists' lunch his wife was not his "chattel" and was entitled to a life independent of him.

Mr Bercow, formerly a Conservative MP, called criticism of her comments on Tory leader David Cameron "drivel".

Mrs Bercow announced in November last year that she was contesting the Tory-held St James's ward of Westminster, where her husband is a voter.

'Nonsense'

Mr Bercow was elected Speaker last June, a role in which he is required to be politically impartial.

He told journalists that criticism of his wife's decision to run for office had come from the right-wing press.

"It is old-fashioned, cowardly and downmarket," he said.

He added: "The obligation of impartiality applies to the Speaker of the House of Commons. My wife is not my chattel. She is independent and entitled to her views."

Mr Bercow said attacks on his wife for criticising Mr Cameron had been "a lot of nonsense, absolutely unadulterated drivel".

The Speaker added that Conservative Sir Nicholas Winterton had put himself forward to be Speaker in 2000 even though his wife, Ann, was also a Tory MP, and would have remained so if he had been elected.

"Would that have been a big deal?", he asked.

Mrs Bercow, who also attended the Westminster lunch, declined to comment.