Senior MPs pile pressure on Speaker to fall on his sword

Speaker Michael Martin was today under unprecedented pressure from senior parliamentarians to quit.

William Hague, David Cameron's deputy in all but name, led Tory criticism of the Speaker, branding him a "problem".

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Vince Cable compared him to the disgraced former chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Even supporters of the Speaker called on him to go before the next general election. Mr Martin is facing two motions of no confidence in him, with one signed by at least 10 MPs due to be tabled early next week. Several ministers want Mr Martin to go, but in a dignified way.

Senior parliamentarians are considering a delegation of "men in grey suits" asking him to stand down.

Conservative MP Robert Key, who sits on the influential chairmen's panel which oversees Commons legislative committees, said: "I have supported Speaker Martin through thick and thin. However, I hope he will recognise that it may be time for him to consider moving on."

Labour loyalist Barry Sheerman praised Mr Martin as "perfectly good", but also made clear he did not expect him to seek a third term.

Veteran Tory MP Richard Shepherd is signing the no confidence motion being tabled by Conservative backbencher Douglas Carswell.

Mr Cameron is refusing to offer support for Mr Martin and shadow foreign secretary Mr Hague openly criticised him today: "There certainly is a problem."

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has authorised his senior MPs to criticise the Speaker and one report suggested that next week he will call on him to depart.

Mr Clegg's deputy Mr Cable compared the Speaker to Sir Tom McKillop, who retired early from crisis-hit bank RBS. It came as a new poll showed Labour's support has slumped to a record low of 22 per cent.

A YouGov/Sun poll showed the Tories on 41 per cent and Lib-Dems on 21 per cent. That would give Mr Cameron a majority of 152.