Bercow defends Donald Trump intervention as rift emerges with House of Lords

John Bercow has defended his suggestion that Donald Trump should not be allowed to address Parliament during a state visit to the UK, as a rift emerged between the Commons Speaker and his counterpart in the Lords.
Commons Speaker John BercowCommons Speaker John Bercow
Commons Speaker John Bercow

Responding to the slew of criticisms directed at his comments by former Tory colleagues, Mr Bercow today argued that he had acted “honestly and honourably” in voicing his opposition to the visit.

But in a thinly veiled rebuke to the Buckingham MP, House of Lords Speaker Lord Fowler revealed he had not been consulted on the decision and did not believe it was within the Speaker’s remit to express a view.

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He also hinted at the need for a review of the procedure surrounding such invitations, as he warned that further disagreements could arise in future.Mr Bercow’s surprise intervention in the row over President Trump’s visit to the UK sparked a fierce backlash from Tory MPs, after he stated he would be “strongly opposed” to allowing the US leader to speak in Westminster Hall.

Commenting on an opposition motion calling for an invitation to the President to be withheld, he expressed concern about condoning a visit by someone who holds racist and sexist views.

Many MPs were quick to point out inconsistencies in his approach, citing a long list of world leaders with poor records on equality and human rights who have been previously been welcomed to Parliament.

Others accused Mr Bercow of “playing to the gallery” and seeking “hero” status among Labour and SNP MPs.

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Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, The Tory MP for Shipley, Philip Davies, claimed he has been one of Mr Bercow’s “staunchest supporters”. But he described the Speaker’s comments on Monday as “completely unacceptable”, and suggested the MP had “tarnished his reputation”.

“He might think he’s some kind of hero to his friends on the Labour and SNP benches, but I’ve actually had a lot of emails from my constituents today saying how absolutely appalled they are,” he said.

“He could and should have handled that situation in a far better way.

“All he’s really done is undermine his own reputation and people’s confidence [and] respect for him.

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“He’s upset an awful lot of people, and there was no need. hope he will reflect on what on Earth he was doing.”

Mr Bercow was forced to defend his actions to the Commons, after the Tory MP Sir Gerald Howarth raised a point of order on the Speaker’s “impartiality”.

Responding to the challenge, Mr Bercow argued he had been acting “honestly and honourably” to carry out his responsibilities.

But he was also chastised in the House of Lords, as Lord Fowler confirmed he “was not consulted” on the intervention, despite being one of three “keyholders” responsible for overseeing official visits. Lord Fowler went on to state that it was not his “role” as Speaker “to argue the case for or against Mr Trump’s visit” and that he would be keeping “an open mind”.

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He also suggested that Parliament should “consider whether there is a better way” to determine which world leaders should be invited to deliver formal addresses. He pointed out that “there will be other leaders coming to this country who may also be controversial”, with the potential to create “a situation where one of the Speakers decides he cannot agree”.

A number of opposition MPs have spoken out in support of Mr Bercow’s comments. The Labour MP for Huddersfield, Barry Sheerman, told the Yorkshire Post: “He’s got every right to have that opinion and to express it.”