This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29011919

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
John Bercow orders Commons clerk recruitment 'pause' John Bercow orders Commons clerk recruitment 'pause'
(about 2 hours later)
John Bercow has announced a "modest pause" in the recruitment of the next clerk of the House of Commons following a row with MPs.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, but critics say she lacks sufficient knowledge of parliamentary procedure. A panel headed by the Commons Speaker chose Australian Carol Mills, but critics say she lacks knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
Mr Bercow told the Commons it was necessary to discuss issues surrounding the appointment "in detail".Mr Bercow told the Commons it was necessary to discuss issues surrounding the appointment "in detail".
He added that he favoured splitting the clerk's responsibilities.He added that he favoured splitting the clerk's responsibilities.
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.
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.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.
'More complex''More complex'
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 UK 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 UK role, with more than 80 signing a Commons motion calling for the nominee to be questioned at a pre-appointment hearing.
In a statement Mr Bercow told MPs he had previously expressed a preference for splitting the job in two, as Parliament's affairs had become "more complex" over the years. But this had not received enough support to make a change before the recruitment process had started.In a statement Mr Bercow told MPs he had previously expressed a preference for splitting the job in two, as Parliament's affairs had become "more complex" over the years. But this had not received enough support to make a change before the recruitment process had started.
Mr Bercow said: "I believe that a modest pause in the recruitment process is desirable while such issues are explored and the views of members solicited in detail."Mr Bercow said: "I believe that a modest pause in the recruitment process is desirable while such issues are explored and the views of members solicited in detail."
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. The two roles carried out by the clerk would, "in the meantime", be carried out by existing members of Commons staff, he added.
Mr Bercow said he expected the matter to be "resolved with goodwill and by consensus".
The previous clerk, Sir Robert Rogers, retired at the end of July and the dispute over the appointment means his successor was not in place as MPs returned from their summer recess, with clerk-assistant David Natzler acting as clerk on a temporary basis.
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.
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 questioning her appointment, 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.
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 with 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 with cross-party agreement.
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, it appears Mr Bercow wants to see what support there is for splitting the role in two by creating a separate job of chief executive for the House of Commons.
The clerk is a royal appointment, made on the advice of the prime minister, who, in turn, takes the advice of the House authorities.The clerk is a royal appointment, made on the advice of the prime minister, who, in turn, takes the advice of the House authorities.