The Speaker of Britain's House of Commons has said he will step down in June after criticism of his handling of a scandal over MPs' expenses.
'In order that unity can be maintained, I have decided that I will relinquish the office of speaker on Sunday, June 21,' Michael Martin told parliament today.
A new Speaker will be elected the following day, he said.
Mr Martin is the most senior casualty of a row over legislators' expenses that has triggered public outrage across Britain and opposition calls for an early general election.
Details of MPs' expense claims, ranging from swimming pool and tennis court repairs to installing a chandelier and cleaning a moat, have leaked out in the Daily Telegraph newspaper over the last 11 days.
A total of 23 MPs from all the main political parties had signed a vote of no confidence in Mr Martin.
Commentators said Mr Martin was doomed following a nervous, bad-tempered session in the Commons yesterday when he made a statement on the row and then faced repeated calls from lawmakers to quit.
The Speaker is the most senior official in parliament and his departure would add to the crisis engulfing British politics.
Mr Martin is the first speaker to be ousted since 1695 when John Trevor was forced out for taking a bribe.
