HOUSE of Commons Speaker John Bercow has revealed he will be quitting his post next summer.

Mr Bercow told friends his decision just hours before he chaired a meeting at Essex University, where he is chancellor.

The speaker has faced repeated calls for him to quit his post, which he has held for nine years, after a probe found "urgent and serious problems" in the way abusive behaviour by MPs and staff is dealt with in Parliament.

Mr Bercow previously said he would stand down after nine years in the role, but announced earlier this year he would not be quitting until after a Brexit deal was reached, by March 2019.

Mr Bercow repeated to friends this week his intention to quit next summer, thought to be June or July.

Essex MP James Duddridge has joined the calls of others for him to step down immediately.

He said: "This is a disturbing report which identifies a number of unacceptable behaviours. Page 64 lists some of them: taunting, mocking, mimicking, deliberately belittling in front of other members, making offensive personal comments about appearance, and humiliating tirades of criticism of abuse in front of colleagues.

"How can we encourage Mr Speaker to stop this behaviour?"

The Dame Laura Cox report, published this week, said there was a tradition of "deference and silence" that "actively sought to cover up abusive conduct".

Mr Bercow announced he wants complaints about bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct in the Commons to be investigated by an outside body.

But he is facing intense pressure to stand down over his leadership on the issue, as well as allegations he bullied officials - claims he strongly denies.

Essex University confirmed Mr Bercow chaired its Government Regius Lecture at Lakeside Theatre on Monday night but he did not make a speech.

Mr Bercow is set to make a return to Colchester next week when he delivers the Colchester Lecture at the Mercury Theatre.

He will be discussing the making of the modern parliament at the event, on October 24 from 7.30pm.

A spokeswoman for the Speaker told the BBC that he had been elected in 2017 "for the course of the parliament", adding: "In the event he has anything to say on his future plans, he will make an announcement to the House first."