Commons Speaker John Bercow has acknowledged that “strong and differing views were expressed” in the House of Commons earlier this week.
The Daily Telegraph reported claims that the speaker Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom “a stupid woman” under his breath following Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday.
“Wednesday was an unusual and controversial day in how business was handled in the House by the government and some strong and differing views were expressed on all sides on the subject,” said the Speaker’s office in response.
“The Speaker treats his colleagues with respect and strives at every turn to facilitate the House of Commons.”
Bercow attacked Leadsom in the House of Commons.
“This is an undesirable state of affairs, and if it were to happen on further occasions, a great many honourable and right honourable members, not to mention interested parties in the opposition day debates outside the chamber, would view it, frankly, as an abuse,” he said.
“I hope that that message is heard loudly and clearly on the government frontbench, at the highest level, by the people in particular by whom it needs to be heard.”
A spokesman for Bercow said there is “no substance” to the allegations made in the Telegraph and the Sun.
Ledson was reported to have not heard the comment but has commented on bullying in government. A number of allegations of bullying have emerged in recent months.
“I completely agree with the right honourable gentleman’s basic premise that nobody in this place should be bullied and, where we believe that there is wrongdoing, we should be free to investigate it,” she said on Thursday.
Bercow has faced repeated calls to resign as allegations that he bullies his staff are growing. The Speaker is facing separate allegations that he bullied Kate Emms.