John Bercow fought back tears as he paid tribute to family and former staff during his final prime minister’s questions as Speaker.
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn led the thanks to Mr Bercow as he prepared to step down after a decade in the role.
After he allowed questions to the prime minister to run for 71 minutes – beating the previous record of 64 minutes – Mr Bercow looked up to a side gallery in the Commons where friends and family sat.
His voice cracked with emotion as he thanked staff past and present before addressing his wife Sally, and their three children.
He said his family have displayed “support, stoicism and fortitude through thick and thin” during the last decade.
Mr Bercow said: “I will never forget it and I’ll always be grateful for it.”
Earlier, Mr Johnson said: “After 10 tumultuous years, this is your last prime minister’s questions.
“As befits a distinguished former Wimbledon competitor, you have sat up there in your high chair not just as an umpire ruthlessly adjudicating on the finer points of parliamentary procedure with your trademark Tony Montana scowl.”
He added: “Although we may disagree about some of the legislative innovations you have favoured, there is no doubt in my mind that you have been a great servant of this Parliament and of this House of Commons.”
Labour leader Mr Corbyn said the Speaker had “stood up for Parliament when it had to be stood up for”.
Mr Bercow’s departure comes as a number of other high profile MPs made the decision to also step down at this election.
Most notable among them is former chancellor Ken Clarke, who has served as the member for Rushcliffe since 1970 and as a minister under Margaret Thatcher, John Major and David Cameron.
Tories Amber Rudd and David Lidington, respectively the ex-home secretary and Theresa May’s former de facto deputy, also both announced they are to quit as did former Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable.
