John Bercow ‘would embarrass the Queen by snubbing Donald Trump during state visit’
JOHN Bercow could embarrass the Queen by snubbing Donald Trump, it was claimed today.
Plans for the US President to address Parliament during his state visit are set to be dropped because of the Speaker’s opposition.
He has previously vowed to ban Mr Trump from giving a speech in the Palace of Westminster.
But Mr Bercow’s veto would prove embarrassing for the Queen because she is the one who would formally request an invitation, The Times reported.
Trip organisers have therefore shelved the idea to avoid a public clash between Her Majesty and the Commons Speaker.
The Sun revealed last week that Mr Trump is expected to give a speech to US troops instead.
He will also attend ceremonies to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-day during his trip to the UK next month.
Mr Trump will stay with the American ambassador because Buckingham Palace’s guest wing is being refurbished.
BERCOW BLAST
This week Lord Fowler, Speaker of the House of Lords, hit out at Mr Bercow for his veto.
He blasted: “I find it unacceptable that we should even consider turning our backs on the elected leader of a country to whom everyone in Britain today owes so much.”
A spokesman for Mr Bercow said: “Should a request be made to address the Houses of Parliament, it will be considered in the usual way.”
Tory MPs have urged those who oppose Mr Trump to respect his office even if they disagree with his views.
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But today London Mayor Sadiq Khan reopened his long-running feud with the President.
He told ITV’s This Morning: “I don’t think we should be rolling out the red carpet, I don’t think we should be giving him a state banquet, but I do think we should be commemorating D-Day landings and I do think we should have good links to the USA.
“He’s welcome, but not a state visit and banquet and all that that involves.”
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