Speaker claims discriminating against people who don’t wear ties is just as bad as SEXISM
Last week, John Bercow declared that MPs no longer have to wear ties in the House of Commons
THE SPEAKER of the Commons today claimed that discriminating against someone who is not wearing a tie is as bad as being sexist.
John Bercow slammed Tory MPs who have refused to answer questions from backbenchers who are not properly dressed.
He compared them to bigots who discriminate against other people based on their "age or gender";.
The astonishing claim is the latest shot in a bizarre political battle over whether or not MPs should wear suits and ties when they speak in the House of Commons.
Last week, the Speaker ruled for the first time ever that male MPs do not need to have a tie on in the chamber - breaking with centuries of tradition.
But Transport Minister John Hayes insisted he would not accept a question from anyone who was not wearing a tie.
Today Lib Dem Tom Brake - who conspired with Mr Bercow over the original ruling on ties - asked whether the minister was within his rights to ignore tieless MPs.
The Speaker pointed out that MPs can decide when to take questions, but said: "I am confident that no member, in making that decision, would discriminate on the basis of attire of the colleague seeking to intervene anymore than he or she would do so on the basis a member's age or gender.
"It would indeed be quite wrong for them to do so."
He added: "Rulings on the dress code for members are a matter simply for me, that is the fact of the matter."
Scrapping the rule on ties is Mr Bercow's latest blow against Parliament's traditions, after he abolished robes and wigs for Commons officials.
Today Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary, suggested that MPs could promote British industry by wearing ties made in the UK.
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He told the Commons that politicians should "lead by example" and sport British clothing when they speak in Parliament.
Mr Bercow responded: "I'm sure if they're so popular it won't be necessary to compel people to wear them."