MP Sharma denies rift with Speaker

Alex Gore • Published 26 Nov 2011 08:00 3 Comments

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TORY MP Alok Sharma has told The Chronicle he remains on good terms with House of Common speaker John Bercow despite incurring his wrath for the second time in as many weeks.

The public spat happened on Monday after financial secretary Mark Hoban made a statement on Northern Rock. His opposite number, Chris Leslie, claimed chancellor George Osborne should have been in Parliament for the announcement, which prompted Mr Sharma to shout out: "Where's Gordon?"

Calling for order, Mr Bercow snapped: "I just say this, once and for all, to the honourable member for Reading West: sit there silently, please, doing your duty. If you feel unable to do so, you have a very simple alternative, which is to leave the chamber."

Speaking yesterday Mr Sharma - who is Mr Hoban's parliamentary private secretary - said he approached the Speaker afterwards, and added: "I think we have made up. It was my second ticking off in as many weeks but I don't think he has got it in for me. It is just one of those things that happens, part of the parliamentary pageant. The Speaker was well within his rights."

The dressing down follows a similar incident earlier this month, when the speaker - known for his fractious relationships with his Tory fellows - stopped Mr Sharma mid question and ordered him to sit down.

Earlier this year, Reading East MP, Rob Wilson, who has also been on the end of Mr Bercow's wrath, publicly attacked the speaker in a national newspaper and revealed how he has called twice as many Tories to order than Labour MPs.

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Nov 26, 12:46
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NatashaOB
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Nov 27, 12:45
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Alok Sharma, you represent me (sadly) in HoP. Therefore, please act as the rest of your constituency would and behave yourself. And if you do try sarcasm, at least get it right.

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The Captain
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Nov 27, 18:17
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Nice to see old Alok actually upright, he usually looks asleep at the Commons...

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Sunny Jim
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Nov 28, 12:56
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He has got a pulse then? You wouldn't be aware of it if one of his constituents...

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