Mr Bercow responded to claims made in the Daily Telegraph that he had not paid capital gains tax on two properties he sold in 2003.

The newspaper also claimed he changed the designation of his main and second homes between London and Adstock.

Speaking to the Advertiser on Monday, Mr Bercow said he had done nothing wrong, but would retrospectively abide by the terms of a change in parliamentary rules which meant tax must be paid on the sale of a second home. Mr Bercow said he would be paying £6,508.40 in capital gains tax plus interest.

A statement from Mr Bercow's accountant, Wilkins Kennedy, said it was common for a second home to be classified as a main residence so part of any gain would qualify for main residence relief.

The statement said: "He had two homes, one in London and one in his constituency. In computing his tax liability for that year, we looked at whether main residence relief would be applicable to either or both homes, and his tax liability reflects the appropriate reliefs to which, as a taxpayer, he was entitled as a question of normal law and practice."

Mr Bercow told the Advertiser he had nothing more to add, but said: "It is possible for people's circumstances to change over a period and in these circumstances the designation of properties can also change."

He also said a detailed breakdown of expenses claimed by MPs was due to be released shortly and would become a matter of public record.

About his bid to become the next Speaker of the House of Commons, Mr Bercow told the Advertiser he had already outlined his case as to why he wanted to be speaker and what he had to offer.

He added: "I am running a campaign to seek to persuade colleagues to support me."