THE speaker of the House of Commons will reportedly step away from his position after calls for him to quit by Basingstoke’s MP.

Maria Miller has called for a "complete change in leadership" in the House of Commons following a report into bullying and harassment.

Following a report from Dame Laura Cox QC, Maria Miller, who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee has called for a change in management at the “very top”.

In addressing the House of Commons today, Mrs Miller also made calls for the speaker of the house, John Bercow to step down from his position.

Mrs Miller said: “She [Dame Laura] is clear there is a need for a culture change and this directly requires a change in the management of the House of Commons.

“Will the leader of the House please explain how the brave staff who have spoken out can be reassured that action will be taken. Because the House of Commons has a duty to lead by example.

“The report is clear that there needs to be a complete change in leadership at the most senior level, including you Mr Speaker.”

The report, by former high court judge Dame Laura, said radical changes were needed in the way cases of bullying and harassment were dealt with in the House of Commons.

MPs debated the report after Mr Bercow granted an urgent question.

However, according to the BBC Mr Bercow has told close friends that he will step down in June / July 2019, but there has been no official announcement from the speakers office.

Dame Laura Cox's report details alleged sexual harassment by MPs by women who say they were "inappropriately touched" and "repeatedly propositioned".

However, it did not refer to claims of bullying against Mr Bercow. Mr Bercow has denied claims from elsewhere that he bullied senior staff.

Mr Bercow called for an independent body to be set up to investigate the allegations from the report.