Nigel Farage takes furious swipe at John Bercow over Brexit in first Commons speech
The arch-Brexiteer attacked the former Commons speaker as he addressed the Chamber for the first time.
Nigel Farage speaks for first time in Parliament as MP
Nigel Farage lashed out at John Bercow as the Reform UK leader spoke in the House of Commons for the first time to a sea of groans.
Mr Farage praised Sir Lindsay Hoyle for being re-elected Commons Speaker. But the Clacton MP went on to slam Sir Lindsay's predecessor, accusing Mr Bercow of trying to block Brexit.
Mr Farage, who has entered Parliament with four other Reform MPs, said: "We are the new kids on the block. We have no experience in this Parliament whatsoever, even though some of us have tried many times over the years previously to get here.
"So we can't judge you from working in this place, but we can judge you from the way the outside world sees you. I don't just mean the UK, I mean the world, because Prime Minister's Questions is global box-office politics.
"It's pretty clear to everybody that you act with great neutrality, that you import tremendous dignity to the role as Speaker, so we absolutely endorse you entirely for this job."
Prompting groans from the government benches, he went on: "And it is, I must say, in marked contrast to the little man that was there before you and besmirched the office so dreadfully in doing his best to overturn the biggest democratic result in the history of the country."
Mr Farage added: "We support you Sir, fully."
Sir Lindsay told MPs he would continue to be "fair, impartial and independent" after he was returned to the post unopposed at the start of the new Parliament.
The Chorley MP has served as Speaker since November 2019, replacing Mr Bercow shortly before that year's 2019 General Election.
The Speaker election marks the first day of the new Parliament, which welcomes 335 new MPs to the Chamber.
Sir Lindsay told the Commons: "It's been an absolute privilege to serve this House as the 158th Speaker. I've got to say that four and a half years have flown.
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"With the authority of the chair comes great responsibility, which is something that I've never taken lightly or for granted.
"I know from experience that decisions have consequences, but with experience comes wisdom and if re-elected I will be guided by that as I continue to be fair, impartial and independent."
Sir Lindsay faced pressure earlier this year to step down as Speaker over his handling of a vote on a ceasefire in Gaza.
But despite a no-confidence motion attracting support among Conservative and SNP MPs, Sir Lindsay was able to continue in the role.