Former Commons sleaze watchdog, Elizabeth Filkin, yesterday said MPs had been guilty of bullying and backstabbing as they attempted to undermine her inquiries.

Giving evidence to the committee on standards in public life, Filkin said some MPs had silenced witnesses, frightened newspaper editors and caused "mayhem".

Filkin has previously said she felt forced out of her job by threats to her independence and a "whispering campaign" to undermine her.

However she was in turn criticised by former Commons Speaker, Baroness Boothroyd, who said Filkin had failed to understand parliament properly and had taken too high a profile.