Stop this witchhunt now

I can't take anymore of this....

The cynicism displayed today in the House of Commons was breathtaking. MPs, whose expense claims are a national embarrassment, are attempting to deflect criticism by organising a constitutionally unprecedented removal of the speaker.

Mr Martin may have its faults, but to try and pin on him this calamitous loss of public confidence in parliament is a disgrace. The duplicity exhibited today is breathtaking. Legions of MPs have been trapped milking the taxpayer out of tens of thousands of pounds. Rather than take any personal responsibility for their disgraceful behaviour, they conjure up a constitutional crisis.

The attacks on Mr Martin are bogus. It is a cover, designed to distract attention from the expenses scandal. Indeed, it is striking how coverage of MPs misconduct has drifted into the background and been supplanted by crude attacks on the speaker.

I fear that this vicious little tactic will succeed.