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Government ministers have rounded on House of Commons Speaker John Bercow over "completely unacceptable" comments.

Mr Bercow allegedly branded cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom a "stupid woman", before reportedly adding "f* useless" or "f* outrageous".

The row follows a number of bullying allegations against the speaker.

Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show, digital minister Margot James said: "Andrea is a good friend of mine, she does an excellent job as leader of the House [of Commons] and she is the absolute opposite of what he's alleged to have described her as, and it's completely unacceptable.

"I'm not going to give my view on the speaker in other respects but, in terms of that, completely unacceptable."

Mr Bercow has not denied he used the words attributed to him or that the target was Mrs Leadsom.

However, he rejected other allegations that he bullied two former private secretaries.

An investigation into those claims has been blocked by senior MPs.

Ms James stopped short of calling for the speaker's resignation but said there was a "pattern of accusations" against Mr Bercow.

She said: "Individual instances don't necessarily mean someone should lose their job.

"II think we're in danger of being a bit hysterical about this.

"There is a pattern of accusations and allegations and the Commons' committee on standards have investigated to a certain extent, I believe - I'm not close to the situation - and they have found things shouldn't reach a head.

"There are colleagues who disagree with that, we'll have to see what happens."

Culture Secretary Matt Hancock also described Mr Bercow's reported comments to Mrs Leadsom as "completely unacceptable", although he did not call for the speaker's resignation.

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "Part of making politics a better way of doing things is about having more respect; more respect between men and women and more respect between people of different backgrounds."

Mr Hancock added: "I haven't seen confirmation that that's what he said but, what I think, is that that sort of language is completely unacceptable in our political debate."

Mrs Leadsom's cabinet colleague confirmed he would not accept such language in his department, adding: "I don't think anybody in my team would talk like that because they're all very professional people."

However, Mr Bercow did win support from Labour shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald.

"He's a good speaker in that he does protect the interests of parliament against the executive and he's not frightened of standing up to the executive when they misbehave.

"He's absolutely excellent at standing up for parliament when the executive wants to ride roughshod over MPs.

"I think John Bercow has been an excellent speaker and I hope he carries on for a little bit longer."

Downing Street has previously said the row should be investigated if an official complaint is made, but Mrs Leadsom is not believed to be planning this.

When he was a candidate for the speakership, Mr Bercow promised to serve for no more than nine years, as he did not consider the post to be a "job for life".

But, although that means he should step down before July this year, Mr Bercow has recently indicated he now wishes to serve beyond that date.

Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman has been touted as a possible replacement.