DONALD Trump plans to stay away from angry MPs in Parliament to address an audience of US troops on his state visit to Britain instead.
A row erupted between ministers and Speaker John Bercow yesterday over whether to invite the US President to speak to MPs and peers.
PA:Press Association
The controversy came as Buckingham Palace confirmed Mr Trump will make a two day visit to Britain as the Queen’s official guest ahead of the 75th commemorations of D Day.
Labour MPs also mounted an attempt to cancel the whole trip in protest at Mr Trump’s controversial views.
But it has emerged that the American leader has no interest in making a Palace of Westminster speech – and would prefer to speak to some of the 5,000 US airmen based at RAF Lakenheath.
A US source told The Sun: “I don’t see him wanting to do that”.
The White House is looking at a series of other locations where Mr Trump could speak to mark the week’s theme of US troops helping to defend Europe down the ages, with the airbase in Suffolk top of the list.
The state visit, from June 3-5, will also Mr Donald Trump honour World War Two heroes alongside PM Theresa May.
The two leaders will attend an international celebration in Portsmouth on the eve of the Normandy landings’ landmark anniversary, before travelling to France to join other world leaders the following day.
The Queen will also host a formal banquet for Mr Trump.
But the US President’s dream of staying in Buckingham Palace with wife Melania will be frustrated by ongoing renovations, and he will sleep at the US Ambassador’s official London residence, Winfield House, instead.
Tabling a Commons motion to try to cancel Mr Trump’s visit, Labour MP Stephen Doughty branded him “a racist, sexist, extremist”.
PA:Press Association
Government ministers hit back at a Labour bid to ban Donald Trump’s state visit in June to insist it was an affront to America.
Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood said: “I’m aware that President Trump is not everybody’s cup of tea but the special relationship is not about any individual, it’s about our nations working together as we did 75 years ago to deal with the wider challenges that we face”.
Mr Bercow’s snub sparked a row between him and the Lords Speaker, former Tory Cabinet minister Lord Fowler, who said last night he saw “a strong case for a speech by the President particularly on such an important anniversary”.
Protocol dictates that the White House should issue a formal request for the president to make an address to Parliament.
A spokeswoman for the Speaker’s Office said: “Should a request be made to address the Houses of Parliament, it will be considered in the usual way.”
A major policing operation will be mounted to protect Mr Trump from street protests.
In stark contrast to his visit last year where he avoided central London, Mr Trump’s trip in June will see the capital lay on its full pomp and ceremony.
The president is expected to be formally greeted by the Queen during a ceremony on Horseguards, before a procession down the Mall.
AFP or licensors
AFP or licensors
