John Bercow has described Brexit as the "biggest foreign policy mistake" of the post-war period.
The former House of Commons Speaker - who stepped down from the role last week after more than a decade - made the remarks during an event organised by the Foreign Press Association in London.
In comments quoted by la Repubblica journalist Antonello Guerrera, Mr Bercow said he's no longer Speaker - and therefore is no longer required to remain impartial.
He argued: "If you ask me honestly, do I think that Brexit is good for our global standing, my honest answer is no I don’t.
"I think that Brexit is the biggest foreign policy mistake in the post-war period".
Mr Bercow stressed that he 'completely respects' British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as his right to "try to get support for his position, which is to get Brexit done".
However, he added: "My own personal opinion is that Brexit does not help us.
"We are part of a world of power blocs and trade blocs, my feeling is that it is better to be part of that power block and of that trade bloc than not."
Mr Bercow - who was a Conservative MP before being elected to the Speaker role in 2009 - was often sharply criticised by members of his former party for his decisions regarding Brexit debates in the Commons.
On a number of occasions, he allowed MPs to use obscure parliamentary rules to take control of the agenda - an opportunity the opposition used to block the government from forcing a hard Brexit.
BBC quotes Mr Bercow as insisting he always treated both Brexiteers and Remainers in a "fair way" - adding that he was "pro-Parliament and impartial in the chair".
Lindsay Hoyle - a former deputy speaker and Labour MP - was elected as the new Speaker earlier this week.
