LONDON: Michael Martin, the Speaker of the British House of Commons, resigned late last night Sydney time over the MPs' expenses scandal.
It is the first time in 300 years a Speaker has been forced from office. Mr Martin was also expected to step down as an MP.
Mr Martin's position became untenable after he lost the support of MPs over his handling of their expenses system.
The disclosure in London's Daily Telegraph that his staff had encouraged members to claims for "phantom" mortgages provoked fierce criticism.
Yesterday a motion calling for his immediate resignation appeared on the Commons order paper signed by 23 MPs from across the political spectrum. The Tory MP who tabled the motion, Douglas Carswell, said he hoped Mr Martin's successor would have the moral authority to push through reforms that would "restore dignity to politics".
