John Bercow apologises for trying to ban Donald Trump from speaking to Parliament and Lords Speaker says he could still be invited
The controversial Commons Speaker faced furious Conservative MPs’ calls to resign yesterday for snubbing the new US president
THE Speaker of the Lords has overruled John Bercow to insist he could still invite Donald Trump to address Parliament.
The controversial Commons Speaker faced furious Conservative MPs’ calls to resign yesterday for snubbing the new US president.
And senior Tory backbenchers began a fresh move to oust Mr Bercow last night by tallying up how many MPs would back a no confidence vote in him.
In an extraordinary outburst on Monday, Mr Bercow - who took a vow to remain impartial - accused Trump of “racism and sexism” and he insisted he wasn’t welcome in the Palace of Westminster during his state visit later in the year.
But former Lords boss minister Lord Fowler slapped down the MP for Buckingham to insist he still had an “open mind” about issuing the honour.
The former Tory Cabinet minister also revealed Mr Bercow had apologised for making the declaration without first consulting him.
Lord Fowler told the upper house: “I should make it clear I was not consulted on that decision or its timing.
“However, the Speaker contacted me this morning.
“He told me that while he maintained his view on the issue he was genuinely sorry for failing to consult with me.”
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The Lords boss added: “My view is that I will keep an open mind and consider any request from Mr Trump to address Parliament if and when it is made”.
Aides to Lord Fowler also claimed he has the power to ignore Bercow to invite Trump to address MPs and peers in the Lords’ Royal Gallery.
Speeches in Westminster Hall - Parliament’s oldest and most scared building – need the agreement of the Speakers of the Commons and the Lords and the Queen’s representative, the Lord Great Chamberlain.
But to address the Royal Gallery, it only need the last two’s sign off.
President Trump appeared not to have registered Mr Bercow’s insult.
White House aides talking to ministers overnight about other Government business didn’t even mention it, sources revealed.
The Commons Speaker was forced to defend his snub to President Trump yesterday as angry Tories accused him of overstepping his powers.
Forced onto the back foot, Mr Bercow told MPs he was “honestly and honourably seeking to discharge my responsibilities”.
Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke claimed Mr Bercow’s position was now “untenable” as he launched an angry tirade against the Speaker.
Speaking on BBC Daily Politics, the MP for Elmet and Rothwell said: “He is not acting independently.
“The very fact that we are having this conversation today, on a political issue brought about by the Speaker, shows that he is no longer able to independently chair and have support and respect across the whole of the House of Commons.
“It’s unfortunate but I think his position is untenable.”
Conservative former defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth said Mr Bercow's comments on Monday "caused some of us some concern".
Iraqi-born Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi, who was affecedt by Trump’s travel ban, called on Mr Bercow to “think about his position” yesterday”, and suggested his time should be up as Speaker.
Another senior backbencher told The Sun that a fresh plot was underway for force Mr Bercow out, saying: “We’re counting our numbers now to see if we have enough bodies to get rid of him”.
The Commons Speaker promised to step down in 2018 after serving nine years, but MPs believe his Trump outburst was to court Labour MPs to back him for staying on in the key job for longer.
There was a similar row in 1982 when MPs denied Ronald Reagan a speech in Westminster Hall, making him settle for an address in the Royal Gallery instead.
