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John Bercow to update MPs over Commons clerk row John Bercow orders Commons clerk recruitment 'pause'
(about 1 hour later)
John Bercow is expected to update Parliament on the situation regarding a new clerk of the House of Commons amid a row with MPs over the appointment. John Bercow has announced a "modest pause" in the recruitment of the next clerk of the House of Commons following a row with MPs.
A panel headed by the Commons Speaker chose Australian Carol Mills to succeed Sir Robert Rogers after his retirement. A panel headed by the Commons Speaker chose Australian Carol Mills, but critics say she lacks sufficient knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
But many MPs have warned that Ms Mills does not have sufficient knowledge of parliamentary procedure to do the job. Mr Bercow told the Commons it was necessary to discuss issues surrounding the appointment "in detail".
They have called on a Commons committee to vet the nominee, handing it an effective veto over the appointment. He added that he favoured splitting the clerk's responsibilities.
Although Mr Bercow is unlikely to make a formal statement, MPs may seek to raise the matter in the Commons on its first day back from the summer recess.
The clerk of the House is the principal constitutional adviser to the Commons, and adviser on all its procedure and business.The clerk of the House is the principal constitutional adviser to the Commons, and adviser on all its procedure and business.
'Not qualified' Paid £200,000 a year, he or she is also responsible for the overall administration of the House of Commons, including the signing of leases, contracts and public expenditure on Commons services.
The clerk, who is paid £200,000 a year, is also responsible for the overall administration of the House of Commons, including the signing of leases, contracts and public expenditure on Commons services. The previous clerk, Sir Robert Rogers, retired at the end of July and the dispute over the appointment means his successor will not be in place as MPs return from their summer recess, with clerk-assistant David Natzler acting as clerk on a temporary basis.
Sir Robert retired at the end of July and the dispute over the appointment means his successor will not be in place as MPs return from their summer recess, with clerk-assistant David Natzler acting as clerk on a temporary basis.
Cross-party panel
Mr Natzler had been seen as favourite to get the job permanently but the six-member panel, made up of senior MPs from the three largest parties as well as the Parliamentary ombudsman Julie Mellor, chose Ms Mills as their preferred candidate following an open selection process.Mr Natzler had been seen as favourite to get the job permanently but the six-member panel, made up of senior MPs from the three largest parties as well as the Parliamentary ombudsman Julie Mellor, chose Ms Mills as their preferred candidate following an open selection process.
Ms Mills currently works for the Australian Senate, the Upper House of the Australian Parliament, in the Department of Parliamentary Services, which oversees the buildings, catering and staff.Ms Mills currently works for the Australian Senate, the Upper House of the Australian Parliament, in the Department of Parliamentary Services, which oversees the buildings, catering and staff.
MPs have questioned her suitability for the role, with more than 80 signing a Commons motion calling for the nominee to be questioned at a pre-appointment hearing.MPs have questioned her suitability for the role, with more than 80 signing a Commons motion calling for the nominee to be questioned at a pre-appointment hearing.
Tory Jesse Norman, who tabled the motion, told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester that very little was known about Ms Mills and the MPs needed to be sure that she was cut out for the "vital" role.Tory Jesse Norman, who tabled the motion, told BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester that very little was known about Ms Mills and the MPs needed to be sure that she was cut out for the "vital" role.
"When tempers are hot and arguments are flying around the House of Commons, the Clerk is the person who gives advice to MPs and the Speaker about procedure in the Commons," he said.
Split role
Mr Norman added: "It is a very important role and historically it has been charged by people who have had decades of experience building up the relevant understanding.
"I'm afraid the panel chaired by the Speaker has come up with someone who may have some good administrative qualities... but who is manifestly not qualified for the crucial procedural and constitutional job."
Former Tory minister Tim Loughton told the BBC's Daily Politics that Mr Bercow had "over-reached himself" although Labour's Hazel Blears told the same programme that the job of Clerk was "pretty complicated" and Ms Mills had been chosen by cross-party agreement.Former Tory minister Tim Loughton told the BBC's Daily Politics that Mr Bercow had "over-reached himself" although Labour's Hazel Blears told the same programme that the job of Clerk was "pretty complicated" and Ms Mills had been chosen by cross-party agreement.
Sources close to Mr Bercow initially defended the recruitment process, which included two interviews, describing it as "fair and transparent".Sources close to Mr Bercow initially defended the recruitment process, which included two interviews, describing it as "fair and transparent".
But amid growing unease among MPs, media reports have suggested that the Speaker is preparing to compromise, either by referring the appointment back to the panel or by splitting the role in two by creating a separate job of chief executive for the House of Commons.But amid growing unease among MPs, media reports have suggested that the Speaker is preparing to compromise, either by referring the appointment back to the panel or by splitting the role in two by creating a separate job of chief executive for the House of Commons.
Mr Norman also questioned the logic of splitting the role. "That is, in a way, absurd, because it tries to remake our arrangements of managing the House of Commons on the hoof in order to accommodate one particular candidate."
The clerk is a royal appointment, made on the advice of the prime minister, who, in turn, takes the advice of the House authorities. David Cameron has yet to comment on the row.The clerk is a royal appointment, made on the advice of the prime minister, who, in turn, takes the advice of the House authorities. David Cameron has yet to comment on the row.