Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt has criticised the Speaker of the House of Commons and says he could be forced to quit for his role in the arrest of Conservative frontbencher Damian Green.

Mr Wyatt stopped short of calling for Michael Martin to resign but said his position had been jeopardised by his statement about the affair this week.

He described the affair as “an almighty cock-up” that had been embarrassing for all involved.

Mr Wyatt cricitised Mr Martin for failing to accept personal responsibility for allowing Metropolitan Police officers to search the Ashford MP’s arliamentary office without an arrest warrant.

“MPs are not above the law but the issue is that police need a warrant. It was the Speaker’s job to ensure they did. The buck stops with him, he should not be criticising employees in public,” he said.

The widespread criticism directed at Mr Martin, who told MPs that he was unaware that the police had not had a warrant when they searched Mr Green’s office, meant it was likely he would come under pressure “to consider his position over Christmas,” he predicted.

“I think the men in grey suits will have to have a word with him...many MPs think enough is enough.”

In a related development, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg says his party will boycott the panel of seven MPs being set up to review what happened after it emerged that it would be dominated by Labour MPs.

Meanwhile Mr Green was due to be in his constituency today (Friday) for formal engagements for the first time since his arrest. The MP is due to hold an advice surgery and is expected to make a visit to the town centre in the afternoon.