Parliament 'is in a grim state'

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Mike Granatt, who quit as aide to Commons speaker Michael Martin last month, insisted the institution was in a "grim" state with no "coherent leadership".

The public was "bemused" by the generous allowances given to MPs, but a "circle of denial" within the House was preventing any reform, he added.

Mr Granatt's outspoken intervention came in an interview for BBC Radio 4's Week in Westminster programme.

He resigned as media adviser to the Commons Commission - headed by the Speaker - after unwittingly misleading a journalist over £4,000 in taxi journeys taken by Mr Martin's wife.

"Parliament is like most institutions in a crisis," Mr Granatt said.

"Firstly, they don't quite see what the crisis is, collectively.

"And, secondly, they think that whatever is going on, it can be dealt with in the usual fashion, by the usual means and through the usual channels and that, I think, would be a very damaging self-delusion at this point."