Bercow rounds on ‘embittered’ critics

In an outspoken interview with BBC Radio 4’s The World At One, John Bercow said many of those who had tried to prevent him becoming Speaker in 2009 were still “sulking” three years later. He also hit out at sections of the news media that had attacked him and his wife, Sally Bercow. He called them “totally low-grade, sub-standard downmarket low music hall drivel”.

Mr Bercow has divided opinion in Westminster with his frequent interventions in Prime Minister’s Questions and his regular requirements for Ministers to appear before MPs to face urgent questions on issues of the day.

He said people who did not want him to win “have tended to feel a lingering sense of grievance.”

He went on: “Sometimes people who haven’t perhaps achieved what they wanted to achieve in their political career can display some sign of resentment.” It was sad for them they were so embittered and resentful, he added.