Tory fury erupts in the Commons after Speaker John Bercow tells MP Greg Hands he 'wasn't a very good whip'

Controversial Speaker John Bercow caused uproar in the House of Commons when he clashed with a former Tory whip on another night of Brexit drama.

Mr Bercow was met with loud jeers when he responded to a heckle from Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands by saying he “wasn’t a very good whip” amid high tensions in Parliament.

MPs demanded an apology from Mr Bercow over the insult as he was accused of showing a lack of respect.

Mr Bercow had told Mr Hands: “I don’t require any help from the right honourable gentleman, the member for Chelsea and Fulham, who wouldn’t have the foggiest idea where to start.

“He was once a whip, he wasn’t a very good whip, it would be better if he kept quiet.”

Mr Hands was deputy chief whip under David Cameron between 2013 and 2015.

As the Speaker was met with a loud clamour, he defended his comments, saying they were "were not outrageous at all" and adding "members could shout as much as they like" but it "wouldn't make any difference”.

However former Tory chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin made a point of order accusing him of a lack of respect.

Mr Bercow responded: 'What I would say is if I have caused offence I will very happily apologise.'

It came after Theresa May's Brexit strategy was left in tatters after MPs dramatically voted to take control of the process from the hands of ministers.

Three pro-EU ministers quit the Government to back a Commons amendment enabling MPs to take control of Commons business by staging a series of "indicative votes" on alternatives to the Prime Minister's deal.

They were among 30 Conservative rebel MPs who supported the cross-party amendment which was passed by 329 to 302 in another humiliating blow for Mrs May.