Jarrow MP Kate Osborne ‘glad’ Trump won’t address Parliament

The decision comes just days after French president Emmanuel Macron was given the honour of addressing Parliament.

Kate Osborne, the Labour MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East, has written twice to the Speaker of the House of Commons asking parliamentary authorities to block any address from Mr Trump inside Parliament.

She told The Northern Echo: “There’s been a lot of media attention to my campaign to prevent President Trump from having the privilege of speaking to our Parliament.

“In April, I wrote to the Speaker calling on him not to let President Trump address either House and Lord Foulkes sent a similar effort to the Speaker in the House of Lords.

Kate Osborne MP. (Image: UK Parliament) “I don’t believe that Trump should be allowed the privilege of addressing Parliament, he has flouted the law, said some appalling things around equality, democracy, the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East and indeed, direct attacks on the UK Government.

“Trump’s attitude towards democracy, his contempt for court rulings and for the rule of law as well as his lack of acknowledgement of the responsibility of his own elected chambers in Congress means it would be totally inappropriate.”

Mr Trump accepted the invitation from King Charles for an unprecedented second state visit to the UK earlier this year, becoming the first US President to receive the honour.

President Trump will make a state visit to the UK this year. (Image: Carl Court/PA Wire) Ms Osborne added: “I’m glad to see reports this morning that my efforts have been successful and Trump will not address Parliament.

“This week the White House confirmed he is not expecting to speak and the Speaker’s office confirmed there are no current plans for a speech to happen.

“Let’s hope it stays that way.”

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According to the Telegraph, Mr Trump is not expected to visit Buckingham Palace nor enjoy a ceremonial carriage ride down the Mall in London.

A decision was made amid concerns there could be objections from both the public and MPs.

However, a senior White House official, who asked to remain unnamed to protect diplomatic discussions around the planned state visit, told The Independent: “This was never expected or even discussed.”