Speaker Of U.K Parliament: Donald Trump Is Not Welcome To Address Parliament

The top-ranking British lawmaker on Monday pledged to block President Donald Trump from speaking before the U.K. Parliament. Speaker John Bercow cited Parliment’s opposition to racism and sexism and its support for equality and an independent judiciary in his vow to block Trump.

His statement before the House of Commons, the Speaker said he was “strongly opposed” to Trump addressing Parliament during an upcoming state visit to the U.K.

“I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump to speak,” Bercow said. While British lawmakers value their country’s relationship with the United States, he said, “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.”

Bercow continued by saying, “An address by a foreign leader to both houses of Parliament is not an automatic right. It is an earned honor.”

According to the Huffington Post, “Bercow is one of just three people who has the final decision on whether guests will be granted the honor of speaking in Westminster Hall. Bercow, along with the speaker of the House of Lords and the great lord chamberlain, are the three ‘keyholders’ who have the power to approve such addresses to members of Parliament and peers.”