Speaker's own staff urged me to speak out over clerk, says MP Michael Fabricant

John Bercow wanted to appoint Carol Mills, an official at the Australian senate, for the 640-year-old Commons post of Parliament's most senior official.

But Mr Bercow has since announced a 'modest pause' to the selection process after he was quizzed by MPs - including Lichfield MP Mr Fabricant - over his involvement in the appointment.

The nomination, which must be confirmed by the Queen, has provoked a row about Ms Mills' qualifications to undertake the constitutionally sensitive role of head clerk advising the Speaker on matters of procedure in the House.

Now Mr Fabricant has revealed that junior employees of the House have encouraged him to 'go for it'.

He said: "I have had so many messages of support from junior employees of the House saying go for it"

Mr Fabricant has already challenged Mr Bercow to call a vote of confidence by secret ballot in order to prove he commands the support of the House.

And during tense exchanges in the Commons this week, Mr Fabricant said he had been told that head-hunters Saxton Bampfylde were stopped from meeting the selection panel and presenting information about Ms Mills, who was nominated by the Speaker as the replacement for recently retired Sir Robert Rogers.

On a point of order to the Speaker, Mr Fabricant said: "Under those circumstances, I wonder whether you might wish to put the record straight so the House might not be misled?"

Mr Bercow replied: "Let me reiterate: I believe you to be incorrect. The panel, of which I was chair, was briefed about all of the applicants for the post of clerk and chief executive and I think you are quite wrong to say there was prevention of SB giving information to the panel."