Speaker John Bercow faces NO CONFIDENCE vote after 150 MPs back motion over Trump rant

The motion has been put forward by Tory backbencher James Duddridge, who responded furiously to Mr Bercow's comments on Monday.

He said the Speaker's comments were just the latest in which he ignored his position's expectation of political neutrality.

Mr Duddridge added: "He has overstepped the mark, he has overstepped the mark a number of times but this most recent incident – where he used the Speaker's chair to pronounce his views on an international situation in some quite detailed and lengthy manner is wholly inappropriate and it means that he can no longer reasonably chair, as Speaker, any debate on those subjects.

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John Bercow is to face a motion of no confidence following his Donald Trump comments this week

"This has been happening more and more often from this modernising Speaker.

"This is perhaps the straw that has broken the camel's back."

The motion was tabled as the Commons rose for the February recess, with Mr Duddridge claiming support for the move could see the Speaker forced out before MPs return to Westminster.

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John Bercow has been the Speaker of the House of Commons since June 2009

Despite holding the position of Speaker of the House of Commons, a role which demands objectivity, Mr Bercow said on Monday he would not invite Donald Trump to speak to MPs due to allegations of racism and sexism.

In a speech lasting several minutes he lambasted the US president before finally re-taking his seat, receiving rare applause from opposition MPs.

This provoked a furious response among Conservatives including Mr Duddridge, whose motion heaped more pressure on the Speaker.

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He has overstepped the mark, he has overstepped the mark a number of times but this most recent incident is wholly inappropriate

Tory backbencher James Duddridge

Mid Bedfordshire MP Nadine Dorries said MPs were “still reeling” days after the Speaker’s outburst.

After a failed attempt to oust the Speaker in 2010, Mrs Dorries claimed she had “made peace with Bercow, but what he did was totally out of order, I just can’t support him anymore.”

She added: “I think he has done amazing stuff for the backbenches, and there was a lot of goodwill that he has blown it with what he did."

While Karl McCartney branded Mr Bercow the “Jeremy Kyle of Parliament”, adding “his opinion wasn’t called for and added nothing of value."

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Opposition to the prospect of the US president giving a formal address in Westminster Hall has grown

Mr Duddridge would not be drawn on how many MPs he expected to support his motion, but it is believe dup to 150 MP's have already supported a potential vote.

The Rochford and Southend East MP said: "I have been amazed at the number of emails, texts saying 'Carry on as you are doing, James, we totally support you'.

"Some of those were quite keen to get actively involved, some were a little bit more happy that someone else was doing it rather than them.

"I have got absolute confidence that a majority of MPs will be in the 'he's not doing a good job and should go' category.

"How many of those will go as far as voting in a vote of no confidence and how many will sign up to an EDM, I genuinely don't know."

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Mr Duddridge said he would not be drawn on how many MPs he expected to support his motion

But Mr Bercow's comments were defended by Labour today, who said his comments were valid.

Shadow Commons leader Valerie Vaz said in Parliament today: "When a person refers to a senator, Elizabeth Warren, as Pocahontas, who is then silenced by her party. When a person repeats the cry, 'Lock her up', of a candidate, when no offence has been committed.

"When a person suggests women should be grabbed in certain places without their consent. When a person has consistently questioned the birthplace of an American president, President Obama."

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In a speech lasting several minutes Bercow lambasted the US president

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She went on: "Then I, born in Aden, Yemen, of Goan-Indian heritage, who may or not be directly affected by the travel ban, and others, welcome the support for us and for the reputation of Parliament.

"Could the leader of the House confirm that the Government will not support any attempts to act on the letter to the Prime Minister about comments made on a point of order in this chamber?"

Veteran Labour MP David Winnick also defended the Speaker, saying he was a "champion of the backbenchers" who is usually willing to call every MP who wants to ask a question during ministerial statements, and to grant them urgent questions to the Government.

And he predicted the plot, which he claims was "orchestrated by some on the Tory side who just never accepted that he should be in the chair in the first place", would fail.

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John Bercow has been criticised for his comments on Donald Trump

Even Ukip MP Douglas Carswell, whose motion of no confidence led to the downfall of Michael Martin as speaker in 2009, said the move against Mr Bercow was "misguided".

But Commons Leader David Lidington did not respond to the question about the Speaker but said the Government had to deal with the US president as he was democratically elected, despite strong feelings on the matter.

He said: "Whatever view any of us as individuals might have on any particular leader of another country, the reality is that governments have to deal with other governments in the world as they exist and particularly with elected governments who are able to claim a mandate from their own people."

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