Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. The Speaker of the House of Commons has been challenged by MPs to stand down in unprecedented scenes in the chamber. Michael Martin did not mention his future in a statement on the expenses furore - instead he set out proposed action to reform the system. He said he was "profoundly sorry" for his role and said all MPs must accept blame for the "terrible damage" done. But a succession of MPs challenged him openly, saying they wanted a debate and a vote of no confidence in him. It follows a week of damaging media revelations about MPs' expenses and criticism of the way Mr Martin has handled the row. Claims stopped In a statement to a packed Commons on Monday, Mr Martin apologised for the expenses scandal and outlined steps he would be taking ahead of the findings of an independent inquiry into the allowances system, expected in the autumn. This included asking party leaders to meet him and members of the House of Commons Commission within 48 hours to look at what proposals for reform for second homes expenses could be agreed upon and put to MPs for approval. In the meantime the Glasgow North East MP urged members not to submit expenses claims for approval. This House should calm itself down, should have a period of reflection
Sir Stuart Bell
Labour MP
In full: Speaker's statement Nick Robinson's blog "We all bear a heavy responsibility for the terrible damage to the reputation of this House. We must do everything we possibly can to regain the trust and confidence of the people," he said. Labour's Gordon Prentice was the first to stand up to ask about the no confidence motion, only to be told it was not a "point of order" - to shouts of "oh yes it is". Douglas Carswell, the Conservative backbencher who is putting forward the motion, got up to ask when it would be debated and when MPs would be able to choose a new Speaker with "moral authority to clean up Westminster and the legitimacy to lead this House out of the mire". Norway debate But he was told it was not a "substantive motion, it's an early day motion", which led to MPs shouting and Mr Martin having to seek clarification from a clerk. Veteran Labour MP David Winnick asked him "with some reluctance" to give "some indication" as to when he would retire, saying "your early retirement sir, would help the reputation of the House". Mr Martin replied that was "not a subject for today". THE SPEAKER'S ROLE
The Speaker controls the proceedings of the House of Commons, chairing debates, keeping order and calling on MPs to speak The Speaker is also responsible for the running of much of Parliament - including the Fees Office The Speaker represents the House of Commons' independence in dealing with the monarchy Speakers are elected by MPs in a Commons vote, traditionally remaining in the role until retirement or death and re-elected automatically after general elections Michael Martin was elected following the retirement of Betty Boothroyd in 2000
Q&A: Speaker under pressure More MPs under expenses scrutiny Veteran Conservative MP Sir Patrick Cormack likened the mood in the Commons to the mood in the nation for the Norway debate in 1940 - said to be the moment Conservative MPs realised that Neville Chamberlain had to be replaced as prime minister. And another Conservative MP, Richard Shepherd, said the public would not believe MPs were serious about reform as long as Mr Martin remained as Speaker. Senior Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell was one of the few to stick up for Mr Martin, saying there had "never been in the history of our land such an attack on the Speaker". He added: "This House should calm itself down, should have a period of reflection." The former Tory, now independent, MP Bob Spink also spoke in favour of the Speaker, saying he did not want to see him "become a scapegoat for the action of these members". Senior Lib Dem MP David Heath said the statement would have been welcomed a few weeks ago but he now had "very grave doubts" as to whether they would restore trust. 'Political death warrant' Others sought advice on how a debate on the Speaker's future could be tabled. Former shadow home secretary David Davis asked: "Is it within the power of a backbencher to put down a substantive motion and if so, how?" There were shouts when Mr Martin said that was a matter for the government. The leader of the main opposition party, a government in waiting, and his party cannot, I think act unilaterally to remove the Speaker in the House of Commons
David Cameron Cameron starts election petition
Mr Martin also had to tell the Conservative MP Mark Field to watch his words when he suggested that some MPs had made fraudulent expenses claims. Later Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who was attacked by the Speaker last week for giving interviews about greater transparency on MPs' expenses, said Mr Martin "blew it". "The effect of the statement is for the Speaker to have signed his own political death warrant... I give him less than a week," he told BBC News. BBC political editor Nick Robinson said that while Mr Martin's statement may have bought him some breathing space, his fate still hung in the balance. And, at a later meeting of Labour MPs, Mr Robinson said former Cabinet minister Peter Hain urged the prime minister not to try to prevent a debate on the Speaker's future. The Speaker's critics blame him for various attempts to block requests in recent years to have expenses details released under Freedom of Information laws. And he angered many by attacking MPs who had pressed for more transparency or criticised his decision to ask the police to investigate the leaking of expenses details to the Daily Telegraph. Under parliamentary rules, the Speaker can either ignore the motion or ask for it to be debated in government time. Not right For MPs to openly criticise the Speaker breaks a long-standing Commons convention, while the last time a Speaker was forced from office was in 1695 - when Sir John Trevor was found guilty by the House of "a high crime and misdemeanour". Mr Martin has been urged to stand down by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg. Prime Minister Gordon Brown declined to give Mr Martin his backing, saying that "the decision about who is Speaker is a matter for the House of Commons - it could never be a matter for the government". The BBC understands Mr Brown spoke to the Speaker on Sunday about the situation. Any move to unseat the Speaker would have to be supported by the Conservatives. But Conservative leader David Cameron said: "The leader of the main opposition party, a government in waiting, and his party cannot, I think, act unilaterally to remove the Speaker in the House of Commons - I don't think that would be right."
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The Right Honourable Michael Martin MP, the Speaker of the British House of Commons, faces a vote of no confidence this week. This motion will be launched by Tory Douglas Carswell MP. Martin addressed the House of Commons at 15:30 BST (14:30 UTC).

The Right Honourable Michael Martin MP in 2008Speaker Martin has faced much controversy over his handling of a recent scandal involving the expenses of Members of Parliament (MPs). Martin defended the House of Commons' authorities that requested a police investigation with regard to this leak, causing anger amongst many MPs.

In his statement, the Speaker apologised to the public saying that "we have let you down". He also personally apologised: "I am profoundly sorry". He acknowledged that "each and every member, including myself, must work hard to regain your trust".

Sir Christopher Kelly will release a report in Autumn about expenses, and the Speaker said that the House should take steps until then and MPs should not file further expense claims. Some MPs urged an interim report to be published before this. The Speaker urged leaders of all Parliamentary parties, including the Prime Minister, to meet with the Speaker and House of Commons Commission within 48 hours to discuss expenses.

After the speech, various MPs asked the Speaker questions. Carswell asked "when will members be able to choose a new leader?" and David Winnick MP asked for information about when the Speaker will retire. Bob Spink, the Independent MP for Castle Point, said that his constituents did not want the Speaker to be a "scapegoat". Labour MP for Middlesbrough, Sir Stuart Bell, said "the majority of the House will support this statement you made today" and noted "never in history has there been such an attack on Speaker".

In the UK, attacking the Speaker defies a long-standing tradition; the last Speaker to be forced from office was Sir John Trevor in 1695 for accepting a bribe.

Even before the speech, MPs from all major parties have supported this motion; Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has urged the speaker to resign. On his blog, Carswell claimed that he 'continues to pick up support for the motion'.

Martin's friend, the Labour Lord Foulkes, has suggested Martin is a victim of snobbery, as the Speaker is "someone from a working class background in Glasgow".

In the past, Martin has been involved in several past scandals, including that he made excessive claims for the use of taxis, and for over £1,600,000 spent on the Speaker's residence.