Speaker Bercow's Commons statement

Text of Mr Speaker Bercow's statement on the searching of an MP's office yesterday:

"I wish to report to the House that the rooms of a Member were searched yesterday pursuant to a warrant issued by the Circuit Judge in Preston Crown Court on 16 May. The warrant related to the investigation of a serious arrestable offence.

I should remind Members, as did my predecessor in 2008, that the precincts of Parliament are not a haven from the law. In accordance with the Protocol issued by my predecessor on 8 December 2008 on the execution of search warrants within the precincts of the House of Commons, I considered the warrant personally and was advised by Officers of the House that there were no lawful grounds on which it would be proper to refuse its execution.

In addition, as provided for in paragraph 6 of the Protocol, I consulted the Attorney General and the Solicitor General who concurred in this advice. I am very grateful to them. The Clerk of the House was kept fully informed throughout, and also concurred.

The Serjeant at Arms and Speaker’s Counsel were present when the search was conducted. Undertakings have been given by the police officers as to the handling of any Parliamentary material until such time as any issue of privilege is resolved.

The investigation is continuing and it would not be right to comment further. I will not take questions on my statement."

Lancashire Police have confirmed they have searched "offices in London" after going through appropriate procedures.

Dave and the "muttering idiot"

The Prime Minister David Cameron during Prime Minister's Questions called the Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls a "muttering idiot"saying people should not listen to the "muttering idiot" sitting opposite him.

The Speaker John Bercow forced the Prime Minister to withdraw the word "idiot" as unparliamentary. The Prime Minister did saying "I will replace it with the man who left us with this enormous deficit and financial crisis". Ed Balls tweeted "For the record, I was simpy asking the Prime Minister, as he boasted the economy was on track: 'Tell us about the recession'."

However a number of lobby hacks contradict Ed Balls' version of events. Tom Bradby of ITV News tweeted "Ed Balls has turned winding up David Cameron into an art form. He said half a dozen times at PMQs today; have another glass of wine..." between Mr Balls or Mr Bradby I know which one I believe.....

And Sky's Jon Craig has now tweeted "Labour MPs report PM 'back on the bottle, sipping claret with his roast beef in Members' Dining Room as we speak. Taking Ed Balls' advice!'." adding more fuel that Mr Balls' explanation isn't true.

Mr Cameron wasn't dishing out insults all afternoon. after PMQs he made a statement to the Commons on the G8 summit at the weekend. In response to Dennis Skinner, Labour MP for Bolsover, he apologised for calling him a "dinosaur" the last time they clashed saying "my response was sharp".