Maidstone and Weald MP Ann Widdecombe (Con) has been tipped to stand in as interim Speaker of the House of Commons.

Her name emerged yesterday after the current Speaker, Michael Martin, announced he would stand-down in June.

It came after increasing criticism of his handling of the MPs expenses crisis. He will leave the post on June 21 and a secret ballot will be held to determine his successor.

Miss Widdecombe refused to rule herself out of the role.