Tuesday, February 7, 2017

#OyVeyDonaldTrump slapped with a in your face ban from giving historic address in British Parliament's grandest hall

Donald Trump slapped with a in your face ban from giving historic address in British Parliament's grandest hall

The Speaker vowed to block an address in the 11th Century Westminster Hall as he slammed the President's "racism and sexism"

A Twitter storm is expected from #OyVeyDonaldTrump as soon as the prune juice kicks in.....clear the airways ... it is likely to be fast, furious and classical trumpetism.
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Video thumbnail, Donald Trump BANNED from speaking in Parliament's oldest and most prestigious hall





Donald Trump is set to be banned from giving a historic address in the British Parliament's grandest and most prestigious hall.

The House of Commons Speaker today announced he did not want to invite the US President to speak in the 11th Century Westminster Hall when he makes a state visit later this year.

John Bercow slammed Trump for "racism and sexism", his undermining of judges and his migrant ban.

He added that although he does not have as much say over a speech in the glittering Royal Gallery in the House of Lords, "I would not wish to issue an invitation".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "Well said John Bercow. We must stand up for our country's values. Trump's State Visit should not go ahead."
READ MORE


Women MPs vow to boycott Donald Trump's speech if he addresses Parliament

It comes after 163 MPs signed an internal petition demanding Trump be refused the honour due to his migrant ban and comments on torture and women.



The Speaker said he would not give Trump permission to speak in Westminster Hall (Photo: REUTERS)

Barack Obama addressing both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall in 2011 (Photo: PA)
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As the oldest part of Parliament, Westminster Hall is where Kings and Queens have lain in state for centuries.
It is where ex-President Barack Obama addressed both houses of Parliament in 2011 and is a venue previously used by Nelson Mandela.
Speaker Bercow said he is one of three "keyholders" that would agree to any address in the historic hall. The other two are the Lord Speaker and Lord Great Chamberlain.
Today he told MPs a Westminster Hall address "is not an automatic right - it is an earned honour."
He added: "Ordinarily we are able to work by consensus that the hall would be able to be used for an address by agreement of the the three keyholders.
"Before the imposition of the migrant ban I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump to Westminster Hall.
A Westminster Hall address "is not an automatic right", the speaker said
"Our opposition to racism and to sexism are hugely important considerations", he said
"After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump to Westminster Hall."
There was cheering and applause by MPs as he made the announcement in the parliamentary chamber.
It is a blow to Prime Minister Theresa May, who helped make the earlier-than-usual offer of a full state visit and has cosied up to Trump's White House in hope of a UK-US trade deal.
Nearly 2million people signed a petition to prevent the state visit and no plans for a Parliamentary address had yet been drawn up.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We look forward to welcoming the President to the UK later this year. The dates and arrangements for the state visit will be worked out in due course.”
The Speaker added: "We value our relationship with the United States. If a state visit takes place, that is way beyond and above the pay grade of the Speaker.
"However, as far as this place is concerned I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons."
Tony Blair, Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton in Westminster Hall in 2003 (Photo: Press Association)
The Speaker said he also didn't want Trump in the glittering and golden Royal Gallery (Photo: Getty)
The travel ban was issued as an executive order 10 days ago, blocking visitors from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Libya travelling to America for 90 days.
The move triggered outrage, sparking protests in cities across the globe.
After the Speaker's announcement, veteran anti-establishment Labour MP Dennis Skinner bellowed: "Two words - well done".
Labour MP Stephen Doughty, who started the 'Early Day Motion' signed by 163 MPs, said after the Speaker's comments: "Our Parliament stands for liberty, equality and independence from government. We choose who we honour.
"After Trump's comments and actions on women, torture, refugees and the judiciary - he does not deserve to be honoured in the place where Mandela spoke and Churchill lay at rest.
"It is vital we stand up for those principles not only here but across the world. Mr Speaker has made that crystal clear today."
Stephen Doughty said: "He does not deserve to be honoured where Mandela spoke"
Labour veteran Dennis Skinner declared: "Two words - well done!"
Former Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman, who had vowed to boycott any speech, said: "Speaker Bercow just cancelled Trump visit to parliament. A proud moment for Commons. Racism and sexism not welcome here."
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "This is the right decision by the Speaker. The Prime Minister might wish to kowtow to the nasty misogynist that now sits in the Oval Office but no-one else does. We do not want him to speak to us. He is not welcome.
"Trump should be under no illusion. We are snubbing him."
But a source said the House of Lords' Speaker Lord Fowler - another “keyholder” for Westminster Hall - was "irritated by the lack of consultation" over John Bercow's speech.
Later a House of Lords spokesman said: "The Lord Speaker was not consulted by Mr Bercow on his statement.
"The Lord Speaker will make his own statement tomorrow to the Lords."
Mr Bercow also opposed Mr Trump speaking in the House of Lords' Royal Gallery - despite raising no objections when Chinese President Xi Jinping did just that in 2015.
China's President, Xi Jinping addresses MPs and peers in Parliament's Royal Gallery
The Speaker did not object when China's President addressed the Royal Gallery in 2015 (Photo: Getty Images Europe)
He said: "So far as the Royal Gallery is concerned, and again I operate on advice, I do not perhaps have as strong a say in that matter.
"It is in a different part of the building although customarily an invitation to a visiting leader to deliver an address there would be issued in the names of the two speakers.
"I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump to speak in the Royal Gallery."

Famous addresses in Westminster Hall

This list is all speakers who have given an address to both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall since 1939, according to the House of Commons Library. (* = not an formal address to MPs)
2012: Burmese Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi
2012: The Queen on her Diamond Jubilee
2011: US President Barack Obama
2010: Pope Benedict XVI*
2002: The Queen on her Golden Jubilee
1996: South African President Nelson Mandela
1995: The Queen on the 50th anniversary of VE Day
1988: The Queen on tercentenery of Bill of Rights
1977: The Queen on her Silver Jubilee
1960: French President Charles De Gaulle
1950: King George VI on opening of new Commons Chamber
1939: French President Albert Lebrun

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