Top British lawmaker to resign June 21

Washington Post

LONDON — The speaker of Britain’s House of Commons, Michael Martin, resigned Tuesday under withering criticism of his handling of a growing scandal over politicians’ expense accounts.

It marked the first time in more than 300 years that someone in that powerful position has been forced out of office.

Martin’s resignation, effective June 21, is more bad news for Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whose popularity has dipped to about 25 percent in recent polls. Martin, a member of Brown’s Labor Party for 30 years, has been speaker since 2000.

After days of calls for his resignation, Martin told a packed House of Commons: “I have always felt that the House is at its best when it is united. In order that unity can be maintained, I have decided that I will relinquish office of speaker.”

After his 35-second statement, he curtly added, “That is all I have to say on the matter.”

Public fury has been rising over items politicians have charged to taxpayers: a massage chair, pornographic movies, a moat cleaning, a plasma TV, horse manure for gardens and tennis court repairs. Some members put in bills for mortgage payments even though their loans had been paid off.

Some elected officials seemed to be using expense accounts as a way to supplement a salary many consider too low — $100,000 at current exchange rates.

Politicians’ expense accounts were to be released publicly for the first time in July, but the Daily Telegraph published leaked reports.