UK Speaker Michael Martin to resign today over expenses scandal

Speaker Michael Martin to resign today

Speaker is to make a statement to MPs this afternoon announcing his resignation, according to Whitehall sources

• Andrew Sparrow, senior political correspondent
• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 19 May 2009 11.55 BST
• Article history

Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin. Photograph: Tim Rooke/Rex Features

Michael Martin will this afternoon announce his plan to resign as Commons Speaker, it was revealed today.

The news came as an unprecedented motion appeared on the House of Commons order paper, signed by 23 MPs, calling for Martin to resign because of his failure of leadership over the expenses scandal.

Martin will make a statement to MPs at 2.30pm announcing his resignation, according to Whitehall sources. It it thought that he will not step down with immediate effect, but will tell MPs that he will resign soon, possibly before the summer recess.

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