Commons speaker quits over expenses

THE speaker of the House of Commons resigned over an MPs’ expenses scandal which has plunged Britain into its worst political crisis for years and outraged voters.

Michael Martin became the first person to quit the prestigious post since 1695 after losing moral authority among lawmakers, 23 of whom had signed a motion of no confidence. John Trevor was found guilty by the house of a “high crime and misdemeanour” for accepting a bribe in 1695.

Although there had been questions over his leadership for years, Martin’s fate was sealed by his failure to embrace reforms which his opponents said were necessary to rebuild public confidence in politicians after the expenses furore. “In order that unity can be maintained, I have decided that I will relinquish the office of speaker on Sunday, June 21,” he said in a statement to the lower house. Martin, a former sheet metal worker and trade unionist, is also stepping down as a lawmaker for his home city, Glasgow.