Michael Martin has told MPs he will stand down, so becoming the first Commons Speaker to be effectively forced out of office for 300 years.
Mr Martin, who will also step down as an MP, has faced criticism over his handling of the MP expenses issue. In a brief statement, he said he would step down on 21 June, with a successor set to be elected by MPs the next day.
He later announced a clampdown on MPs' expenses, including a ban on "flipping" of second homes, of using allowances to buy furniture and household goods and a £1,250 per month cap on mortgage or rent on second homes.
The Speaker was clapped and cheered by MPs as he announced emergency changes to the expenses system which have been agreed between the party leaders, which also include a 'reasonableness' test to block dubious claims.
Speaker quits 'for sake of unity'
Meanwhile Douglas Hogg, the Tory MP whose claim for clearing the moat at his country estate came to symbolise the excesses of the MPs' expenses system, is to stand down at the next general election.
Moat claim MP to quit at election
It's obvious the Speaker misjudged the mood of the electorate towards the Westminster gravy train. Furthermore, his attempts to block the publication of MPs expenses - notably by fighting a ruling that they be published under the Freedom of Information Act - has rightly led to his position becoming untenable.
It's also obvious that the remaining MPs are desperately seeking a scapegoat to take the blame for their own shortcomings. But it will take far more than Mr Martin's departure to bring this sorry affair to an end.
In the eyes of the public, the actions of these (dis)honourable members are no different from that of a benefit cheat - both are attempts to steal the taxpayers' money through dishonest means.
Those MPs guilty of fraudulent activities should be punished.
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