John Bercow flew into fits of rage which left staff ‘terrified’, ex-top official claims as pressure grows on ‘bullying’ Speaker
Former Black Rod David Leakey said the Speaker's alleged behaviour was 'bringing Parliament into disrepute'
JOHN Bercow today faces MORE bullying allegations as a former top official in Parliament claimed the Speaker showed terrifying bursts of rage.
David Leakey, who retired from the powerful post of Black Rod, said Mr Bercow was "bringing Parliament into disrepute" and called for a full probe into his behaviour.
The Speaker has previously been accused of bullying two close aides amid claims he got so angry he smashed a phone during a furious row.
Mr Leakey, a decorated war hero, said Mr Bercow launched abusive tirades towards him and left his staff "terrified".
He : "On one occasion he quite suddenly erupted in a rage, banging the table and being extremely and personally rude to me, including calling me an anti-Semite.
"The red mist suddenly descended - it was quite disproportionate and unreasonable by any standards."
So far Parliament bosses have refused to launch an investigation into the allegations against the Speaker.
But Mr Leakey said that after the earlier claims made by former staffers Angus Sinclair and Kate Emms, the Commons must hold an inquiry.
He said: "This issue is now out in the open. It risks bringing Parliament, not just the Commons, into disrepute.
"For Parliament not to investigate rigorously sets a poor example; it would risk putting this on the same radar as the expenses scandal."
One former Commons official told The Sun that the latest allegations were the last straw for Mr Bercow - and predicted they would lead to his downfall.
The ex-official said: "This is the most seismic allegation against Bercow yet. It should be the final nail in his coffin."
Mr Leakey was a Lieutenant General in the British Army, serving in Northern Ireland and Bosnia before becoming head of the EU's military staff.
He served as Black Rod, one of the most senior administrators in Parliament, from 2010 until 2017 when he retired and was replaced by Sarah Clarke, the first woman to hold the role.
The position dates back to the 14th century and is best known for being the person who bangs on the door of the Commons to summon MPs for the Queen's Speech.
As well as the ceremonial functions, Black Rod is in charge of Parliament's security arrangements as well as the buildings on the parliamentary estate.
It comes as Tory MP Andrew Bridgen last night revealed he was drafting a lengthy dossier of complaints against Mr Bercow for Parliament’s watchdog.
Mr Bercow denied any wrongdoing towards Mr Leakey, but admitted the pair had clashed in the past.
A spokesman said: "Mr Speaker refutes all the allegations levelled by Mr Leakey. John Bercow and David Leakey are two very different people with very different backgrounds, perspectives and ideas.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
"They had fundamental disagreements in 2011 and 2012, but interacted adequately after that."
Former judge Laura Cox is leading a probe into the bullying of Commons staff - but is not allowed to investigate any individuals.
Yesterday Mr Bercow rejected calls for an inquiry into the allegations against him.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online politics team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours