Commons speaker to block Trump address to British parliament

The speaker of the House of Commons has said he will block any invitation to Donald Trump to address parliament, accusing the United States president of racism and sexism. MPs applauded John Bercow's emphatic rebuke of Mr Trump and his promise to prevent him speaking anywhere in the Palace of Westminster when he makes a state visit to Britain later this year.

“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 speaker said.

An invitation to speak at Westminster Hall is usually agreed by consensus between the speakers of the Commons and the Lords and the Lord Great Chamberlain. Mr Bercow said, however, that Mr Trump's imposition of a travel ban on seven majority-Muslim countries had reinforced his conviction that the president should not speak at Westminster.

“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,” he said.

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“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.”

Earlier on Monday, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu urged Theresa May to join Mr Trump in imposing fresh sanctions on Iran. Speaking at 10 Downing Street, Mr Netanyahu said that Iran wanted to annihilate Israel and to conquer the Middle East.

“It threatens the West and it threatens the world. It makes provocation after provocation. That’s why I welcome President Trump’s decision to put more sanctions. I think other nations should follow suit. I want to speak with you in order to make sure Iran’s aggression doesn’t go unanswered,” he said.

Ms May said she recognised Iran’s “destabilising activity” in the region but she reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to the Iran nuclear deal, which both Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump have rejected.

“They also talked about the Middle East peace process and the UK’s firm commitment to a two-state solution as the best way to bring stability and peace to the region. The prime minister reiterated the UK’s opposition to settlement activity,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.