Speaker John Bercow 'strongly' opposes Trump address to Parliament
Channel: flash video
Date: 2017-02-06

Commons Speaker John Bercow has dramatically vetoed President Trump addressing Parliament during his state visit to the UK later this year.

The Speaker was cheered loudly and applauded by MPs after he denounced the President and said he would refuse to invite him to Westminster.

The applause came at the end of a lengthy statement from Mr Bercow in which he said the House of Commons believes in equality and an independent judiciary.

Mr Bercow's bombshell announcement came in response to a plea from Labour MP Steve Doughty, who has tabled a Commons motion calling on the parliamentary authorities to withhold permission.

Responding to Mr Doughty, Mr Bercow said there was no automatic right for foreign leaders to address Parliament during a visit to the UK, it was an earned honour.

He told MPs: "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 key holders to Westminster Hall, the Speaker of the House of 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 or another purpose by agreement of the three key holders.