TBB submits a Freedom of Information Request on Speaker Bercow
Posted on July 15th, 2009 in Politics | 5 Comments »
Following the procedures laid down by the Ministry of Justice, TBB has today submitted a Freedom of Information Request involving Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow.
Bercow campaigned on a platform of openness and transparency and has yet failed to reveal the full salary he has taken as Speaker.
Former Speaker Michael Martin publicly revealed that he kept his pay in line with Cabinet Ministers at £141,868. Michael Martin did this in recognition of the recession and being seen to be responsible in difficult and harsh times. In April, all backbench MP’s, (which Bercow was at the time), were given a 2.33% pay increase which took an MP’s salary to £64,766.
If you go to the House of Commons website detailing all salaries it lists Bercow’s pay entitlement as £144,520. This means that Speaker Bercow could be claiming a salary of £2,652 more than Michael Martin. BUT he wont reveal what he has accepted as House of Commons Speaker.
Given we know the salary of the Prime Minister, Members of the Cabinet, MP’s, surely Speaker Bercow owes it to be honest to us and reveal his details.
Let’s see what response a Freedom of Information Request gets. Whether he is claiming the full amount or less is not the issue, it is about honesty and getting to the truth, which Bercow is not revealing.
(Don’t forget that Bercow was revealed by the Daily Telegraph earlier this year as failing to pay Capital Gains Tax after so-called ‘flipping’ his second home designation. But he did pay back £6,500 in capital gains tax after the Telegraph reveal).
5 Responses
Great stuff.
Bercow is very very slippery
Although there are lots of reasons why people blog anonymously and I’m not knocking you for it; it does seem to be wanting things both ways at once to make a freedom of information request anonymously. Can I assume you gave your real name ?
If what you say is true – and I’ve no reason to doubt it, then we’re looking at a possible difference of £2,652 between what Michael Martin received and what John Bercow might receive – or £51 per week – or assuming 40% tax, £30.60.
John Bercow strikes me as the kind of person who’s not short of a few bob, and I suspect he’d not risk possible embarrassment for 30 quid a week. So I’m not sure what’s going on with him refusing to reveal his salary.
It crosses my mind though that you’d look a bit silly if he was only drawing £64k but as you say : Let’s see what response a Freedom of Information Request gets.
Hey Stephen. Thanks for your comments. Some great points. Happy to discuss. In reference to anonymous blogging. Yes many of us do it and certainly people have different reasons. Jack Knife wanted to break news and discuss police & crime issues backed with inside information and he felt happier doing this anonymously. Some do it to add mystique. I have absolutely no issues revealing my identity. It matters not…..and even will help when I break the anonymous tag as it provides more freedom to blog, especially providing Vlogs etc. So I can let you know I am currently redesigning the site and will maintain the TrueBlueBlood name but will identify who I am. Ultimately it will make little difference but I have nout to hide and more to gain. So hopefully that answers that element. And yes, ultimately £30 a week matters not a jot but what bothers me more is the principle. I have no issue with Bercow taking the full entitlement. It is his to take and approved by the House. But by refusing to reveal how much he is taking adds that element of ….why are you concealing it? If he is only drawing the lower amount—then all credit to him….nice move John. But we have a right to know. Hope you agree. Thanks again for your comments….hope to see a lot more of them.
This looks a bit spiteful bad form – maybe do this next year
Hey Sue. No spite meant actually. Sorry to see you think bad form. Just want to see openess. BTW love your comments on this site and Facebook links. Very valued