John Bercow gets called ‘traitor’ by member of public outside Parliament as he dodges reporter’s questions ‘That’s a very, very impressive bobble hat you’re wearing. Well, perhaps not a bobble hat but a hat of sorts’

A casually dressed John Bercow managed to bluster his way through questions from a BBC journalist on his intervention in the Brexit process while he was on his way into the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday – before being branded a traitor by a member of the public.

The Speaker of the House of Commons was confronted by a BBC crew as he crossed the road outside the Palace of Westminister on Tuesday morning.



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His role has come under intense scrutiny after he told the Government it could not bring its Brexit deal back before MPs for a third vote in this Parliamentary session, unless it was “substantially” different.

Mr Bercow said he had consulted the parliamentary rule book, called Erskine May, on what the procedure is for Commons business being brought repeatedly back to the House.

The move, which he says was a judgement and not a final ruling, provoked a storm of criticism from much of the pro-Brexit media.

‘You ought to get yourself some coffee or tea’

But when Mr Bercow was challenged by the BBC reporter in the street, he refused to answer questions about his decisions and instead made a series of tangential observations in a play for time before entering his workplace.

He said: “I really feel you ought to get yourself some coffee or tea. I did offer to buy you all coffee and tea, but you declined my kind offer. You’ve obviously already drunk lots of coffee or tea.

“I wish you well. That’s a very, very impressive bobble hat you’re wearing. Well, perhaps not a bobble that but a hat of sorts. Anyway, I’m sure people are so very grateful to you for showing such an interest at this time of the morning. Very good of you. Very well done.”

‘Traitor’

As the reporter continued in his line of questioning the speaker said: “Careful, careful cars coming along here. I’m not going to sacrifice myself for your benefit. I know you attach great weight to what you think but that should be kind enough to allow me…”

The BBC reporter then asked the Speaker a series of questions about his decision on Monday, why he had dug up a 17th century precedent to use in Parliament, and whether it was an attempt to delay Brexit. Mr Bercow responded by walking in silence alongside the crew.

As he reached the entrance to Parliament, Mr Bercow said: “Perhaps, gentlemen, you would allow me to proceed to work. Thank you, and I wish you a good day,” before a woman shouted “traitor” at him.

‘Substantially’ different deal

His decision on Monday means the Government must make changes to Theresa May’s deal that was defeated by 149 votes last week. Mr Bercow argued that vote had been permissible as it was on a motion that was substantially different to the one defeated by MPs in January.

He told the Commons on Monday: “If the Government wishes to bring forward a new proposition that is neither the same nor substantially the same as that disposed of by the House on 12 March this would be entirely in order.”

It is unclear what the Government plans to do to get its Brexit deal ratified before the UK leaves the EU on the 29 March.