Former Commons speaker John Bercow has been deemed a "serial bully" and a "serial liar" who "repeatedly and extensively" bullied House of Commons staff, an investigation has found.
Mr Bercow, 59, had been accused of throwing a mobile phone, swearing at officials and making a sexually and racially discriminatory remark at a member of staff.
A scathing 89 page report published by the Independent Expert Panel into Mr Bercow's conduct describes his behaviour as an "abuse of power" and concluded his behaviour had "no place in any workplace."
The report said: "Members of staff in the House should not be expected to have to tolerate it as part of everyday life. No person at work however senior should behave in this way.
"The findings of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, which we have upheld, show that the respondent has been a serial bully. Like many bullies, he had those whom he favoured and those whom he made victims."
Mr Bercow will be banned from holding a parliamentary pass for life.
Kate Emms, the former Speaker's Secretary who is one of the complainants said: "I am supremely glad to be vindicated by the report of the Independent Expert Panel.
"The impacts of the one and only genuinely horrible, undermining and consistently upsetting period of my career has spread into all areas of my life.
"Stress, anxiety and loss of confidence sent me home on sick leave and affected how I saw myself and how I felt I was seen by family, friends and colleagues."
Lord Lisvane, the former clerk of the Commons, and private secretaries Kate Emms and Angus Sinclair brought forward the allegations.
The report upholds the findings of Parliamentary standards commissioner Kathryn Stone's own inquiry into Mr Bercow's behaviour.
"His behaviour fell very far below that which the public has a right to expect from any Member of Parliament," the report added.
"The respondent’s conduct was so serious that, had he still been a Member of Parliament, we would have determined that he should be expelled by resolution of the House.
"As it is, we recommend that he should never be permitted a pass to the Parliamentary estate."
Mr Bercow has consistently denied the claims made and today claims he has been targeted by staff as "gossip from absent friends of the complainants has been treated as the absolute truth".
Responding to the inquiry, Mr Bercow said: "Don't fall for the Establishment spin that I have been banned for life.
"I can still attend debates with the help of a friendly pass holder or go as a member of the public."
The Commons Speaker of 10 years added: "All I can say is that the case against me would have been thrown out by any court in the land since it is based on the flimsiest of evidence, rooted in hearsay and baseless rumour, and advanced by old school dogmatists once intent on resisting change at all costs and now settling some ancient scores with me.
“It is a travesty of justice and brings shame on the House of Commons."
The PM's deputy official spokesman said: “The PM has spoken before about the fact that there is no place for bullying and harassment in Parliament and MPs should always be held to the highest standard.
"That’s why it’s important that the independent complaints and grievance scheme was set up to improve the working culture of Parliament and we hope today’s decision gives all those in Westminster the confidence to come forward and report their cases and that they will be fairly heard.”
Asked if he would discourage people from bringing Bercow in as a guest, he replied: “Sanctions are a matter for the panel to look into. I haven’t asked him that specific question.”
Senior Tory MP Andrea Leadsom has told Times Radio Labour must expel Mr Bercow from the Labour party.
She said: "I found that John Bercow was incredibly discourteous to people.
"What is so awful about it is that the Speaker of the House of Commons is almost the sort of highest authority here, you know, he or she is responsible for behaviour in the House of Commons, responsible for the way that we run things here. And it's just unacceptable.
"All parties worked very hard on putting together the independent complaints and grievance scheme. Everyone who works and comes here must be treated with dignity and respect."
Ms Stone, parliamentary standards commissioner has since said: "I am grateful to the Independent Expert Panel for their detailed and considered report regarding the conduct of Mr Bercow.
"Their report upholding my findings demonstrates my ongoing commitment to ensuring that the investigations under my oversight, and my subsequent decisions, are independent, impartial, thorough and fair."
Mr Bercow stood down in 2019 and defected to Labour last year. He is the first Speaker in 230 years not to be offered a peerage.
He was nominated for a peerage by Jeremy Corbyn, but it was blocked due to the bullying probe.
