The Commons Speaker, Michael Martin, has hit back at his critics, identifying a small number of journalists who are attempting to use his background to run him down.

In a rare and frank interview, the Speaker told ePolitix.com that he is a victim of media "snobbery". "I don't wish to change my accent and I am proud of where I was born and brought up. All that I would say is that I think that snobbery does exist but it is only with a minority," he said.

He also dismissed charges of incompetence and bias.