Commons Speaker John Bercow calls for independent body to probe claims of bullying MPs

An independent commission should be set up to investigate all future allegations of bullying and sexual harassment facing MPs, John Bercow has said.

The House of Commons speaker said anyone who works in parliament should face the process, recommended in a recently-released report into misconduct in Westminster.

He said it was "the only possible way to resolve this matter".

Mr Bercow himself has faced calls to resign, with one senior Tory MP saying he should "consider his position".

It comes a day after High Court judge Dame Laura Cox delivered a damning report that found that a culture of "deference, subservience, acquiescence and silence" had allowed bullying and harassment of staff to thrive.

Her inquiry painted a picture of a workplace where MPs enjoyed "God-like status", knowing they would never be subject to disciplinary action and where abusive behaviour was covered up.

Complaints ranged from staff being shouted and sworn at and belittled on an "almost daily" basis to the "predatory" behaviour of some male MPs towards female staff.

They included frequent propositioning and "inappropriate touching", including "trying to kiss them, grabbing their arms or bottoms or stroking their breasts or bottoms".

Commons leader Andrea Leadsom said she was "so sorry" to hear the testimonies, telling the victims on Monday: "You deserve so much better".

She added that it was "vital" that the Commons leadership responded "fully and promptly".

Maria Miller, chairwoman of the women and equalities select committee, called for Mr Bercow to resign, saying there needed to be a "complete root and branch change at the top of the organisation".

She told Sky News: "I don't see how following this report, which was commissioned by the House of Commons commission, which the speaker John Bercow chairs, how we can not have a complete root-and-branch change at the top of the organisation."

But MPs were warned by Conservative backbencher Sir Edward Leigh not to "conflate" the issue of bullying with a "campaign to get rid of the Speaker".

He said parliament and the independence of other MPs "will suffer" if it becomes a bid to oust Mr Bercow from office.