SPEAKER John Bercow was accused of disrespecting the Queen after he SNUBBED her invitation to attend a State Banquet with Donald Trump.
The US President will make his long-awaited state visit to Britain from June 3-5 – timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
AP:Associated Press
Buckingham Palace sent out invitations for the usual lavish dinner put on for heads of state when they make an official visit.
But a spokesman for Mr Bercow told The Sun: “Mr Speaker has been invited to the Banquet, but he will not be attending.”
The highly controversial snub sparked outrage last night. Critics said it was doubly disrespectful – of both the Queen and the American people, while also putting relations with the White House at risk.
Tory MP James Duddridge fumed: “Donald Trump is President of the United States of America. He was democratically elected by the people of the United States and should be treated with respect, particularly by somebody who is supposed to be independent.
“He’s trying to take over the House of Commons and with similar effect he’s now having a go at Buckingham Palace. It’s an outrage to Her Majesty.”
Mr Bercow is also expected to bar Mr Trump from formally addressing Parliament during his June visit – an event usually accorded to visiting heads of state.
In a rant against Mr Trump in the Commons chamber two years ago Mr Bercow insisted it was “not an automatic right” for a visiting leader to address Parlaiment – saying it was an earned honour.
Lib Dem boss Sir Vince Cable has also turned down the Queen’s invitation to attend the State Banquet – because he doesn’t want to be “hobnobbing with a man who is on record as a misogynist and a racist”.
In a letter to Buckingham Palace, Sir Vince wrote: “I have taken the view that as a party leader I should not support state visits where the government of the day has issued invitations inappropriately.
“I did not accept an invitation to attend a State Banquet with the King of Saudi Arabia for that reason. I hope and trust Her Majesty The Queen will understand that I decline this invitation out of no disrespect to her. I am of course hugely honoured to have been invited.”
Mocking Sir Vince and Mr Bercow over their stunts, Mr Duddridge joked: “I’m sure Donald trump will be devastated. He may even go far as cancelling the visit.”
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