Former Commons speaker John Bercow claimed taxpayer’s money to put wife on furlough despite having £400,000 in bank
FORMER Commons Speaker John Bercow used taxpayer’s money to put his wife on furlough during the pandemic - despite the company having £400,000 in the bank.
It comes after Bercow was last week branded a serial bully and liar while being banned from Parliament for life.
The former Tory MP will never again hold a pass to the building in Westminster after 21 damning allegations against him were upheld.
Now it's been revealed he used the furlough scheme to pay his wife sally who provides “administrative support” to his company, Redhead Ltd.
It is thought Bercow uses the company to funnel through payments for public speaking.
He used the employment support scheme for ten months - despite the company’s bank account containing a healthy £400,000, reports
It's not known exactly how much the couple paid themselves through this period.
Most read in News
When asked if he and his wife had paid back the money his representative declined to comment.
Harry Fone, of the Taxpayers' Alliance campaign group, said: “Many taxpayers will be angered that a wealthy individual such as Mr Bercow is claiming furlough, especially when some businesses have rejected or at least repaid furlough funds – they should serve as an example to others.
“Taxpayers will have long memories of those that helped in the national effort and those that didn't.”
It comes after The Sun this week revealed police were called to Bercow’s home following an alleged late night domestic bust-up.
A complaint was made to officers by his wife Sally, it is thought.
Mr Bercow, 59, was spoken to by cops at the time and then left the couple’s riverside home in Battersea, South West London, “with a face looking like thunder”.
He was not arrested and the matter was dropped by Met cops with no further action.
Details have been logged with the local police community safety unit, which is normal course for cops in such circumstances.
Read More on The Sun
A source said police were called to his home and apparently spoke with Sally, 52.
They added: “Mr Bercow was spoken to, then left the address with his face apparently looking like thunder.”