MPS are set to boycott an address to both Houses of Parliament by Donald Trump, branded a “tyrant” by one backbencher, during his forthcoming state visit to Britain.
More than 70 Members of Parliament have now signed a parliamentary motion, calling for the House authorities to withhold permission for the US President to address MPs and peers in the 11th century Westminster Hall during his visit, the date of which has yet to be announced. The honour of addressing both Houses was afforded to his predecessors: Barack Obama; Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.
By last night, more than 1.7 million people opposed to the state visit had signed a petition. MPs will debate the issue on February 20.
Read more: Pressure grows on Theresa May over 'US briefing' on Donald Trump travel ban
While No 10 steadfastly maintained its line that offering Mr Trump the honour of a state visit was the “right approach,” Home Secretary Amber Rudd intensified the UK Government’s criticism of the US President’s ban on the citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering America for the next 90 days, saying it was divisive and could be exploited as a "propaganda opportunity" by so-called Islamic State terrorists.
Meantime in Brussels, Donald Tusk, the European Council President, warned that the Trump Presidency was a threat to the EU because of the “worrying declarations” coming out of the White House.
After thousands of people took to the streets at home and abroad in protest at the planned state visit, the row over it shows no sign of abating and is expected to be raised by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at Prime Minister’s Questions today.
Among the MPs who have signed the parliamentary motion is Labour MP Michael Dugher, who told PoliticsHome: "Given the widespread outrage at Donald Trump's abhorrent views, there is no way he should be afforded an address in Westminster Hall.”
He added: “Given how many MPs like me would boycott such a speech, if it does go ahead they wouldn't need Westminster Hall; they could probably book the smallest meeting room in Parliament. I, for one, will not be there and it should not go ahead."
Read more: Pressure grows on Theresa May over 'US briefing' on Donald Trump travel ban
His colleague Harriet Harman denounced what she called the "virus of misogyny that is coming from the States with Donald Trump" and called on Theresa May to stand up to him.
Addressing a lunch with parliamentary reporters, the former Labour Deputy Leader said: “Donald Trump thinks women are there to be pushed around and she has got to show him that she is not going to be pushed around.”
The London MP added: “We are in post-protocol politics, it is no good doing it the old way. She should show that she is a woman who will stand up for herself and stand up for this country. She should take back control and cancel that visit."
Natalie McGarry, the Independent MP for Glasgow East, who has also signed the parliamentary motion, denounced the PM in a tweet, pointing out how MPs had condemned Mr Trump’s travel ban while Mrs May wanted to “cosy up to tyrants”.
Elsewhere, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "While the ban is in place we should not be rolling out the red carpet, we should not be having a state visit and the offer of a state visit should be rescinded."
Environmentalists said Mrs May had "some explaining to do" after it emerged Myron Ebell, a prominent climate change sceptic and former aide to Mr Trump visited No 10 to speak to officials.
In a separate development, Peter Navarro, the President’s chief trade adviser, accused Germany of undervaluing the euro to exploit the US and the EU.
Earlier, Lord Ricketts, the former chief civil servant at the Foreign Office, accused the Government of putting the Queen in a "very difficult position" by arranging the state visit so soon into the Trump presidency.
Read more: Pressure grows on Theresa May over 'US briefing' on Donald Trump travel ban
But the PM’s spokeswoman stressed how there was no prospect of it being cancelled, noting: "The invitation has been extended. The PM was happy to do that and looks forward to hosting the President."
She added that the precise programme of the state visit “will all need to be worked out in due course”.
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