The authority of the Commons Speaker was again called into question yesterday after he savaged two Members who questioned his judgment and closed ranks behind MPs who are complaining that their privacy has been invaded by the publication of their expenses.

Labour MPs were urging Gordon Brown last night to tell Michael Martin to stand down “well before” the next general election.

In a belated attempt to calm public criticism the House of Commons Commission agreed last night to try to bring forward the official publication of MPs’ claims by a month to June. But many believe that the rehabilitation of Parliament’s battered reputation cannot begin until the present Speaker is no longer in the post.

In a separate move Sir Christopher Kelly, head of the sleaze watchdog that is carrying out an inquiry into MPs’ expenses, came under sustained fire from government and opposition figures who started questioning his reputation and handling of the investigation.

Some MPs criticised Sir Christopher, chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, for playing to the public gallery by discounting in advance of his report certain solutions — such as the daily rate proposal put forward by the Prime Minister.

Others suggested his report, expected in the autumn, is taking too long. Sir Christopher told The Times he believes the earliest that changes could be implemented would be next April.

The briefing against Sir Christopher suggests MPs are nervous about the outcome of his inquiry and are trying already to undermine its credibility.

Yesterday Mr Martin used the first full sitting day since The Daily Telegraph started publishing MPs’ expenses to try to seize control of the growing storm.

Addressing a crowded chamber, he told MPs that “working to the rules alone” was unacceptable and they must adhere to the “spirit of what is right”. He did not follow Gordon Brown and David Cameron in offering an apology on behalf of MPs.

This was followed minutes later by an extraordinary attack on MPs who have criticised him in the past. He appeared to show publicly a personal distaste for Kate Hoey, the Labour MP for Vauxhall, and Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes.

This is the first time in recent history a Speaker has made unprovoked personal criticisms of Members and the attack is likely to weaken his position further.

The outburst against Ms Hoey, the former sports minister, came after she questioned whether calling the Metropolitan Police to investigate the source of the leak of MPs’ expenses was an “awful waste of money”.

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