Brown’s authority to be tested

The Times is reporting that at ministers have gone to Downing Street to tell Brown that the Speaker must go:

Mr Brown must meet with David Cameron and Nick Clegg and agree that Michael Martin should go as soon as possible.

However the Speaker is unlikely to be ousted by a formal vote. Instead either Gordon Brown or a delegation of "men in grey suits" - senior MPs from all sides of the house - could ask him to step down.

MPs also question whether Mr Brown has enough political strength at the moment for a showdown with Mr Martin.

Assuming the report is accurate, here is a clear case where Brown should demonstrate decisive leadership over the expenses revelations.

One to watch.