UK ParliamentA Scottish Labour lord wants to bar Donald Trump from addressing the UK Parliament during any upcoming state visits that may be scheduled, and six other Peers have already lent their support.
Lord George Foulkes of Cumnock, a former MP and MSP, has suggested that allowing Trump to address Westminster would be “inappropriate” at this time.
“I see that it has been suggested that Donald Trump will visit the UK in September,” Lord Foulkes wrote in an email to Lord John Francis McFall of Alcluith, which was seen by STV News.
“If it is suggested that he be invited to address both Houses of Parliament I hope that you and [Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle] will suggest that would be inappropriate on this occasion because of his attitude towards and comments about the UK, Parliamentary democracy, the NATO Alliance and Ukraine.”
The speaker was CC’d into the email, but as of Monday afternoon, had not replied.
Foulkes’ campaign to keep Trump from addressing Parliament came immediately after the US President told reporters in the White House on Thursday evening that Buckingham Palace is “setting a date for September” for his second state visit to the UK.
He received the invitation from Keir Starmer in February as part of an effort to strengthen relations between the two countries and secure a trade deal with the US.
Addressing the Houses of Parliament is an honour given to former US President Barack Obama in 2011 during a state visit. Two other previous US Presidents also previously addressed MPs – President Reagan in 1982 and President Clinton in 1995.
Speaking to The Times Radio, Hoyle said there would be a “huge boycott” if Trump is invited to address parliament. He also described the possibility as “an insult”.
Replying to STV News, Lord Foulkes said: “We are in Recess until [Tuesday] but already six Peers have expressed their support.”
He confirmed that English Labour MP Kate Osborne is dealing with the approach to the Hoyle.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
