Speaker John Bercow compared to Harvey Weinstein by former Black Rod

Former Black Rod says Mr Bercow ‘not altogether a bad speaker’ in the same way that ‘Harvey Weinstein is not altogether a bad film mogul’

A former top parliamentary official has compared John Bercow to disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, as the Commons speaker faces growing pressure over bullying allegations.

David Leakey, who retired as Black Rod last year, said Mr Bercow was “not altogether a bad speaker” in the same way that “Harvey Weinstein is not altogether a bad film mogul” in his latest intervention against his former colleague.

Pressure is mounting on Mr Bercow to stand down from his post after he was accused of bullying two senior aides, while Mr Leakey has previously said that staff were “terrified” by Mr Bercow’s “explosive and intemperate” behaviour.

The speaker denies all claims of bullying made against him.

Mr Leakey told LBC: “I’m not calling for him to step down, the only people who can get him to step down are the members of the House [of Commons].

“Mr Bercow is not an altogether bad speaker. Harvey Weinstein was not altogether a bad film mogul – he produced some fantastic films, ran a fantastic film studio.

“But he stepped over the line and had to step down.”

Mr Leakey, whose role gave him responsibility for maintaining order in the House of Lords, also compared Mr Bercow to former cabinet minister Sir Michael Fallon, who was forced to resign at the height of the Westminster sexual harassment scandal over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Mr Leakey said: “Michael Fallon was not a bad secretary of state, he did a really good job, he was very, very committed and did a really good job, people acknowledged that.

“But he breached the code, he said: ‘I have not lived up to the expectations of the people I serve’ ... he stepped down.

“If there’s one rule for people in one public high office but not for Bercow – there need to be checks and balances on people who hold high office, and parliament has got to sort out the check and balance.”

It comes after Angus Sinclair, a former private secretary to Mr Bercow, claimed the speaker tried undermine him through mimicry, verbal abuse and angry outbursts – once allegedly smashing a mobile phone on his desk in a fit of anger.

The senior official – who worked for former Commons speaker Michael Martin until Mr Bercow took up the post in 2009 – said he was given “compulsory early retirement” in 2010, with an £86,250 payoff preventing him from making complaints about his treatment in the House.

His successor Kate Emms also claimed to have been bullied by Mr Bercow. Colleagues said she had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.

An inquiry into bullying by MPs is being led by Dame Laura Cox QC. However, it will not consider historical cases.

A spokesman said: “Mr Speaker refutes all the allegations levelled by Mr Leakey.

“John Bercow and David Leakey are two very different people with very different backgrounds, perspectives and ideas. They had fundamental disagreements in 2011 and 2012, but interacted adequately after that.”