Menu
20/05/2009
Archbishop Defends Speaker, Attacking 'Selfishness' Of MPs
A senior Scottish clergyman has weighed in on the ongoing MPs' expenses row, lambasting parliamentarians for "hounding" the Speaker out of office.
Mario Conti, the Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, said the pressure put on Michael Martin to resign was contrived to deflect attention off MPs themselves.
Mr Martin made an historic announcement yesterday, revealing he would leave office next month.
He is the first Commons Speaker to stand down in over 300 years.
Archbishop Conti said the "unseemly and undignified" attacks on Mr Martin, a Glasgow MP, reminded him of an "assembly of unruly pupils, seeking to humiliate their headmaster for misdemeanours they themselves had perpetrated".
Writing in the Herald, the Archbishop said: "The parliamentary culture of greed, selfishness and secrecy, which has been exposed by the press, is shameful."
"And this despite the fact that Mr Martin inherited the woefully inadequate system, and himself proposed changes which would have gone some way the cleaning up the culture, only for his fellow MPs to reject them," added the senior Roman Catholic figure.
(PR/JM)
Mario Conti, the Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, said the pressure put on Michael Martin to resign was contrived to deflect attention off MPs themselves.
Mr Martin made an historic announcement yesterday, revealing he would leave office next month.
He is the first Commons Speaker to stand down in over 300 years.
Archbishop Conti said the "unseemly and undignified" attacks on Mr Martin, a Glasgow MP, reminded him of an "assembly of unruly pupils, seeking to humiliate their headmaster for misdemeanours they themselves had perpetrated".
Writing in the Herald, the Archbishop said: "The parliamentary culture of greed, selfishness and secrecy, which has been exposed by the press, is shameful."
"And this despite the fact that Mr Martin inherited the woefully inadequate system, and himself proposed changes which would have gone some way the cleaning up the culture, only for his fellow MPs to reject them," added the senior Roman Catholic figure.
(PR/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 September 2009
Cut Wesminster Summer Break: Bercow
Summer recess at Westminster should be cut, the Commons Speaker has said. John Bercow said he recognised voters' disbelief at the current 12 week break. MPs dissolve from Parliament between mid-July until October, but the Speaker said he believes this period is unnecessary.
Cut Wesminster Summer Break: Bercow
Summer recess at Westminster should be cut, the Commons Speaker has said. John Bercow said he recognised voters' disbelief at the current 12 week break. MPs dissolve from Parliament between mid-July until October, but the Speaker said he believes this period is unnecessary.
19 May 2009
Speaker Will Step Down Next Month
Embattled Commons Speaker Michael Martin this afternoon announced his intentions to stand down, amid the continued furore over MPs' expenses. The Speaker said he would leave office on the Sunday 21 June, which will be followed by an election for his replacement the next day. Mr Martin is the first speaker to resign from the role in over 300 years.
Speaker Will Step Down Next Month
Embattled Commons Speaker Michael Martin this afternoon announced his intentions to stand down, amid the continued furore over MPs' expenses. The Speaker said he would leave office on the Sunday 21 June, which will be followed by an election for his replacement the next day. Mr Martin is the first speaker to resign from the role in over 300 years.
18 May 2009
Speaker "Profoundly Sorry"
Commons Speak Michael Martin has remained resolute in his address to MPs today despite continued calls for his resignation. In a speech, marred by unprecedented challenges from the benches, Mr Martin put forward a number of proposals for the reformation of MPs expenses.
Speaker "Profoundly Sorry"
Commons Speak Michael Martin has remained resolute in his address to MPs today despite continued calls for his resignation. In a speech, marred by unprecedented challenges from the benches, Mr Martin put forward a number of proposals for the reformation of MPs expenses.
25 February 2008
PM Defends Commons Speaker
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has defended Commons Speaker Michael Martin, calling him a "very, very good speaker". Mr Brown said that Mr Martin's future was "a matter for the House of Commons".
PM Defends Commons Speaker
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has defended Commons Speaker Michael Martin, calling him a "very, very good speaker". Mr Brown said that Mr Martin's future was "a matter for the House of Commons".
08 December 2008
MP Raid Debate Rumbles On
As pressure mounts on Commons Speaker Michael Martin to resign, MPs are expected to further discuss the furore over the police raid of Tory Damian Green’s parliamentary offices.
MP Raid Debate Rumbles On
As pressure mounts on Commons Speaker Michael Martin to resign, MPs are expected to further discuss the furore over the police raid of Tory Damian Green’s parliamentary offices.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
