Former Commons speaker John Bercow has branded Brexit a "mistake" in candid comments made following his departure from the role.
Mr Bercow, who was dogged by accusations of harbouring a Remain bias during his time overseeing the Commons, said he felt being part of the EU was the best option for Britain's international standing.
He made the comments while addressing a Foreign Press Association event today.
“I don’t think it helps the UK. Brexit is the biggest mistake of this country after the war. It's better to be part of the EU power bloc," he said, according to la Repubblica.
The Foreign Press Association also quoted him as saying “crashing out would be extraordinarily undesirable”, in regards to Britain's departure from the EU.
"I was always fair in the chair, I’ll say this to my dying day," he added, according to tweets from the Foreign Press Association.
"But now I can say what I think: Brexit is the biggest foreign policy mistake in history."
He also said that Brexit will take a long time to resolve, regardless of if or when a deal is passed.
Mr Bercow, 56, left the role of speaker last week after a decade in the position.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle was voted as his successor in the Commons on Monday.
