US President Donald Trump
With the 11th Century Westminster approaches, House of Commons Speaker made an announcement that US President, Donald Trump will not be getting and invitation to speak in the event.
Donald Trump has been banned from giving a historic address in the British Parliament's grandest and most prestigious hall.
Speaker John Bercow slammed Trump for "racism and sexism", his undermining of judges and his migrant ban.
He added although he does not have as much say over a speech in the glittering Royal Gallery in the House of Lords, "I would not wish to issue an invitation".
It comes after 163 MPs signed an internal petition demanding Trump be refused the honour due to his migrant ban and comments on torture and women.
As the oldest part of Parliament, Westminster Hall is where Kings and Queens have lain in state for centuries.
It is where ex-President Barack Obama addressed both houses of Parliament in 2011 and is a venue previously used by Nelson Mandela.
Speaker Bercow said he is one of three "keyholders" that would agree to any address in the historic hall. The other two are the Lord Speaker and Lord Great Chamberlain.
Today he told MPs a Westminster Hall address "is not an automatic right - it is an earned honour."
He added: "Ordinarily we are able to work by consensus that the hall would be able to be used for an address by agreement of the the three key holders.
"Before the imposition of the migrant ban I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump to Westminster Hall.
"After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump to Westminster Hall."
There was cheering and applause by MPs as he made the announcement in the parliamentary chamber.
The Speaker added: "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."
After his announcement, veteran anti-establishment Labour MP Dennis Skinner bellowed: "Two words - well done".
Mr Bercow also outlined his opposition to Mr Trump being invited to address MPs and peers in the Royal Gallery, a room often used for state receptions.
He said: "So far as the Royal Gallery is concerned, and again I operate on advice, I do not perhaps have as strong a say in that matter.
"It is in a different part of the building 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 to speak in the Royal Gallery."
Source: Mirror...............
No comments:
Post a Comment