A black cab from Westminster to St Pancras station would cost around £15, less than half that on the tube. An off-peak return train ticket from London to the East Midlands city costs around £67. From the station, the Speaker could have taken a tram (£3), bus (£2.30), taxi (£7) or walked to the venue of his speech at Nottingham Trent University.

Including return fares his journey would have cost between £74 and £111 – depending his choice of transport.

Mr Bercow could have chosen to travel from London to Nottingham via National Express coach had he wanted to save the pennies.

A return trip from Victoria coach station in the capital costs as little as £13.90.

If he’d preferred the freedom of driving Mr Bercow could have rented a small hatchback for as little as £41, returning the same night.

Larger, more luxurious, cars would cost anywhere up to £200.  

Petrol costs from Westminster to Nottingham and back would be around £50, depending on which car he chose.

During his final few months Mr Bercow spent thousands of pounds on entertaining.

In January he used his official expenses to fund a £563.48 lunch for his presiding officer counterparts from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

A dinner for the group’s regular meeting – known as the “Quadrilateral” cost £1,406.

Also in January, Mr Bercow used his official account to settle a £234 drinks bill at a reception for the Panel of Chairmen – MPs who help him out with overseeing Parliamentary debates.

A Commons spokesman said: “In line with long-established practice, the Speaker’s Office funds the drinks and the pre-dinner reception for the Panel of Chairs dinner.”

A retirement party for the Commons ‘Invitations Secretary’ in February was £2,376, and in March, £3,187 went on an equivalent event for the Clerk of the House, David Natzler.

In May the Speaker’s official account spent £3,696 on giving the Principal Clerk of the Table Office a send-off.

And just days before Mr Bercow himself stood down, there was an invoice of £3,168 for a retirement party for his close ally, Speaker’s Chaplain Rose Hudson-Wilkin – although she has been appointed Bishop of Dover rather than retiring.    

A Commons spokesman said: “The Speaker’s Office has funded retirement receptions for senior staff many times in the past.”

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