Huhne joins calls for Martin to quit
Updated on 15 May 2009
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne has joined calls for Commons Speaker Michael Martin to quit.
Mr Martin has been under fire over his handling of the expenses scandal, prompting Mr Huhne to suggest he was not the "right person for the job" and should be replaced with someone willing to reform the system.
"I think it's absolutely clear that we are going to need new and very determined leadership, I think, from a new Speaker in order to deal with this problem," he said.
"I think Michael Martin will have to go. I don't think he's the right person to do this job.
"I feel this is frankly a very serious situation for our Parliament, for our politics, for our democracy, and whatever his virtues in the past, the truth is we need new leadership to make sure we grapple with this issue.
"I think that the Speaker needs to be a reformer who's going to be determined to sweep the stables clean."
It is notoriously difficult for MPs to oust a sitting Speaker because of the power he has in the chamber which relies on them being unwilling to openly criticise him.
But a growing number of MPs have spoken out against Mr Martin, with MPs from all parties adding their weight to a no-confidence motion.
Failed legal efforts to block the publication of MPs' expenses under Freedom of Information laws and this week's personal attacks on MPs in the Commons have helped foment dissent.
The number of MPs now signed up to the no-confidence motion has reached double figures, with the motion due to be tabled next week in a bid to force him out.
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