Michael Martin, speaker of the House of Commons, yesterday broke the long-standing parliamentary convention that speakers should remain neutral at all times by endorsing David Blunkett's announcement on asylum seekers.

Martin said: "The Home Secretary knows of my interest in the matter that the House has been discussing. I welcome vouchers being abolished because, as I know from experience in my constituency, they take away people's dignity."

Commentators said it was the first time in living memory, and possibly in the history of Parliament, that the Speaker expressed an opinion. Tony Benn, the former Labour MP said that this "is a very, very big event" but added that he should not be criticised. "The idea that the Speaker is God or the Queen Mother is ridiculous. He's an MP as well", he said.