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John Bercow in the spotlight over opposition to Trump
The Speaker of the House of Commons attracted both approval and strong criticism for saying he will block the US president from addressing Parliament
February 7, 2017 09:55
The Speaker of the House of Commons attracted both approval and strong criticism for saying he will block the US president from addressing Parliament
February 7, 2017 09:55John Bercow has not been shy of headlines since he became Speaker of the House of Commons in 2009.
But even he might be have been surprised by the furore sparked by his opposition to United States President Donald Trump addressing Parliament during a state visit.
Mr Bercow told MPs yesterday that it was “not an automatic right” but an “earned honour” for an international leader to make a speech in the Commons.
Referring to Mr Trump’s controversial ban of migrants from seven Muslim-majority countries, he said: "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," he told MPs.
“Before the imposition of the migrant ban, I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster. After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump, I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.”
As one of the three “ key holders” at Westminster Hall, he said he would use his position to block any plan for Mr Trump to address Parliament.
While the speech drew applause and cheering from some MPs, it provoked anger among Conservatives in particular, who declared the Speaker should remain impartial.
Crispin Blunt, the Conservative MP who chairs the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said Mr Bercow was going to have to deal with "the consequences" of his comments”.
Nigel Farage, the Ukip MEP, said the Speaker had “insulted” Mr Trump.
And Republican Congressman Joe Wilson described the comment as “very disappointing”. He told the BBC’s Newsnight programme: “I consider it too, sadly, a slap at the Republican Party.
Last night, Downing Street confirmed plans for Mr Trump's state visit later this year were going ahead.
Mr Bercow, whose paternal grandparents were Romanian Jewish immigrants to Britain, is the first Jewish MP to hold the post of Speaker.
The 54-year-old was elected Tory MP for Buckingham in 1997.
Three years ago Mr Bercow dedicated a plaque in Hoop Lane cemetery to British diplomats who had helped Jews find refuge in Britain from Nazi Germany before the Second World War.
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