A number of MPs have called for Donald Trump not to be allowed to speak in the British Parliament during his visit to the UK.
The US President said Buckingham Palace was “setting a date for September” for his visit to the UK.
However, some MPs expressed concern that it would be “inappropriate” for him to speak at the Palace of Westminster, as his predecessors Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton did.
First published in The Times, the message was sent to Lord McFall of Alcluyt, the Lord Speaker, saying: “If it is proposed to invite him to address both Houses of Parliament, I hope you and Lindsay will consider it inappropriate on this occasion because of his attitude and comments about the UK, parliamentary democracy, the Nato alliance and Ukraine.”
Efforts to prevent Trump from addressing MPs are being co-ordinated by Lord Foulkes, a minister in Sir Tony Blair's former government.
Lord Foulkes said: “While the government has a duty to deal with governments of all types, Parliament should not welcome a leader who is anti-democratic and disdains the courts and the rule of law.
“He also fails to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which all parties in the UK parliament have done.”
Meanwhile, Labour MP Kate Osborne has reportedly called on House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to follow the lead of his predecessor John Bercow and oppose the president's address.
In a letter to Sir Lindsay, she reportedly said: “I ask you as Speaker to agree that this would be inappropriate and to reflect the previous Speaker's recommendation.”
We have approached Ms Osborne for comment.
The precedent for second-term US presidents who have already made a state visit is usually to have tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, as was the case with George W Bush and Mr Obama.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer presented Mr Trump with what he then called a “truly historic” personal invitation from King Charles for a second state visit when they met at the White House in February.
However, according to reports, the location of the trip is now expected to be Windsor Castle, and not Balmoral or Dumfries House, as previously assumed.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office last week, Mr Trump said: “They're going to have a second, you know, second festival… that's what it is: a festival, and it's wonderful, and it's the first time it's happened to one person.”
“And the reason is that we have two separate terms, and it's an honour… I'm a friend of Charles, I have enormous respect for King Charles and his family, William, we really have enormous respect for that family.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
