House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has said he would be “strongly opposed” to US President Donald Trump addressing the Houses of Parliament during his state visit to the UK according to BBC News.
Mr Bercow told MPs “opposition to racism and sexism” were “hugely important considerations”.
He was applauded by SNP MPs after his comments.
A petition to withdraw the invitation will be debated by MPs on 20 February after attracting 1.8m signatures.
Responding to a point of order in the House of Commons, Mr Bercow set out his opposition to a Parliamentary address as part of the state visit.
He told MPs addressing the Lords and the Commons was “an earned honour” not an “automatic right”.
He said he was one of three “key-holders” for Westminster Hall, and referred to the US president’s controversial travel ban.
“Before the imposition of the migrant ban, I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall,” he said.
“After the imposition of the migrant ban I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.”
The Speaker said he would also be involved in any invitation to address Parliament’s Royal Gallery….
….”However, as far as this place is concerned, I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and sexism and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons.”
I find it interesting that Speaker Bercow is grandstanding and saying he supports ‘equality for all’ while the UK has an estimated 30 Sharia law courts where women are discriminated against and have virtually no rights.
Perhaps Bercow should address the human rights violations, specifically against women that are happening on his watch before he accuses President Trump of ‘racism and sexism’.
“I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump to speak in the Royal Gallery” – Commons Speaker Bercow https://t.co/jMieTX3YSP pic.twitter.com/xgiB5B969R
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) February 6, 2017
