 The Anthony Powell Society , a literary society founded in 2000 to promote public interest in Powell 's life and works , has from time to time offered a " Widmerpool Award " to persons in public life whose behaviour is deemed suitably " <unk> " , specifically abuse of power . The recipient is presented with an engraved award representing a " wrong kind of overcoat " and the former Labour Lord Chancellor , Lord Irvine , the journalist Max Hastings and the political analyst Karl Rove have received awards . The name of John Bercow , Speaker of the House of Commons since 2009 , has been mentioned as a possible recipient . 
