Harman and Beckett refuse to back Martin

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Commons leader Harriet Harman refused to endorse him, while housing minister Margaret Beckett made clear he had made mistakes.

Ms Harman was asked repeatedly by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight to say she had full confidence in Mr Martin but she replied: "I am not saying I have full confidence in anything or anybody."

Speaking this morning, Mrs Beckett said she did not blame Ms Harman for her cautious reply. "I don't blame Harriet for not wanting to be put in the position whereby she is somehow taking responsibility which is not hers."

However, today Downing Street said the Prime Minister had confidence in the Speaker and Labour MP Stephen Pound - a friend of the Speaker - said of Ms Harman: "It's not collegiate or comradely but I'm sure she has her reasons."

Two Tory MPs, Richard Bacon and Douglas Carswell, have called on Mr Martin to quit because of the row over the raid on Tory MP Damian Green's Westminster office. Mr Bacon said the case showed that Mr Martin had "failed in his fundamental duty".