Donald Trump should be BLOCKED from addressing Parliament on his state visit to UK says Speaker John Bercow, as they must stand up to ‘racism and sexism’
The House of Commons Speaker caused uproar among MPs for his attack on the US President, and said he would be "strongly opposed" to such a visit
THE COMMONS Speaker sparked uproar today after announcing he will block Donald Trump from speaking in Westminster Hall on a state visit.
Accusing the President of “racism and sexism”, pint-sized John Bercow drew cheers and applause from Labour and SNP MPs with the extraordinary blast in Parliament.
Speaker Bercow said he had concerns around inviting Mr Trump to address Parliament before he implemented his controversial travel ban.
But since then, he has become "even more strongly opposed" to the idea.
He said: "I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism, to sexism, and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons."
MPs from the Labour and SNP benches cheered and clapped at his remarks.
The Speaker is one of three ‘gate-keepers’ who have to formally agree to allow an overseas dignitary the honour of addressing politicians from Westminster Hall.
The Pope, Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama are among the few to have done so.
He said that it was not a given right for a foreign leader to get to address Parliament, but he did praise the strong relationship the UK had with the United States.
Speaker Bercow said: "An address by a foreign leader to both Houses of Parliament is not an automatic right, it is an earned honour.
"There are many precedents for state visits to take place to our country which do not include an address to both Houses of Parliament."
RELATED STORIES
But his remarks infuriated Tories who claimed the Speaker had “embarrassed the Queen”.
Alec Shelbrooke told the Sun: “It’s outrageous and he’s brought his office into disrepute.
“He’s supposed to be a referee not a player.
“He introduced the Chinese President on a state visit and he rounds up political prisoners and shoots them. But he opposes the democratically elected of the United States?
“He’s embarrassed the Queen.”
Another MP said: “He’s completely over-stepped the mark."
John Bercow's speech in full
"What I will say is this - an address by a foreign leader to both houses of Parliament is not an automatic right, it is an earned honour. Moreover there are many precedents for state visits to take place to our country which do not include an address to both houses of Parliament.
"The second point is in relation to Westminster Hall there are three keyholders to Westminster Hall, the Speaker of the Commons, the Speaker of the House of Lords and the Lord Great Chamberlain - ordinarily we are able to work by consensus and the hall would be used for a purpose such as an address...I must say to the Honourable Gentleman, to all who signed his Early Day Motions and to others...that before the imposition of the migrant ban I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall. After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.
"So far as the Royal Gallery is concerned...I do not perhaps have as strong a say in that matter...although customarily an invitation to a visiting leader to deliver an address there would be issued in the names of the two speakers - I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump.
"We value our relationship with the United States, if a state visit takes place that is way beyond and above the pay grade of the Speaker. However, as far as this place is concerned I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons."
And over the weekend Harriet Harman said she would lead a group of Labour women MPs to "empty chair" him if he came.
Despite widespread protests across the UK, Theresa May has said the invitation to President Trump for a state visit - thought to take place in June or October this year - still stands.
The slapdown came just moments after Theresa May had once more defended her own visit to the White House to see Mr Trump and urged critics to be “patient” with the President.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron hailed it as the "right decision" by the Speaker.
He said: "The Prime Minister might wish to kowtow to the nasty misogynist that now sits in the Oval Office but no-one else does. We do not want him to speak to us. He is not welcome.
"In the past we have hosted speeches from leaders in equality, justice and human rights from Mandela to Obama to Aung San Suu Kyi. Trump is not fit to shine their shoes.
"Trump should be under no illusion. We are snubbing him."
But some were not happy at the outburst.
Nigel Farage said he should be "neutral" and outspoken ITV host Piers Morgan said he was expressing "peak anti-Trump hysteria" with his comments.
