Trump To Be Denied Honour Of Addressing UK Parliament During State Visit In June

Donald Trump will be denied the historic honour of addressing parliament during his state visit to the UK next month, government sources have confirmed.

In a major snub to the US President, lingering hopes of him delivering a speech to MPs and peers have been dashed following defiant opposition by Commons Speaker John Bercow, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and others.

Although Barack Obama made a landmark address in Westminster Hall in 2011, Trump will not be allowed the same privilege after the visit’s organisers decided to avoid a diplomatic row over his “racism and sexism”.

The prospect of a speech to both Houses of Parliament was finally ruled out as Commons leader Andrea Leadsom announced the dates of the Whitsun recess break later this month.

MPs will be sent away from Westminster from May 23 until June 4, which means the building will be effectively closed during a key part of the President’s trip to London.

Trump is due to fly into Britain on June 3 and leave two days later, and both Buckingham Palace and Downing Street have decided not to press the issue of a speech in the medieval Westminster Hall.

Whitehall insiders revealed that the UK government had not made a formal request to the Commons speaker and Lords speaker, which is the usual protocol, to allow Trump to speak. Read more

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