Changed your minds? How Labour frontbenchers including David Lammy railed against Trump addressing Parliament during last state visit... as MPs launch fresh bid to block him
MPs and peers have launched a bid to block Donald Trump from addressing both Houses of Parliament - after Labour frontbenchers executed a dramatic U-turn on the prospect.
Keir Starmer invited the US President for a State Visit as part of his charm offensive during a trip to the White House in February.
However, concerns have been voiced about the idea after Mr Trump's bruising clash with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.
The administration has also suggested annexing Canada and Greenland, criticised free speech in Europe and caused global chaos by slapping punitive tariffs on imports.
Mr Trump revealed over the weekend that his 'friend' King Charles is looking at setting a date in September for his State Visit.
However, some MPs and peers have broken cover in an effort to stop him being granted the honour of addressing Parliament. Barack Obama did so in 2011, although Joe Biden did not more recently.
Labour's Rachael Maskell became the latest to register a public objection today, telling MailOnline: 'It would be completely inappropriate for the US President to address the Houses of Parliament.'
Mr Trump was previously controversially barred from making a speech at Westminster by former Speaker John Bercow. Mr Bercow said in 2017 that it was 'an earned honour', not an 'automatic right'.
The Commons Speaker, the Lord Speaker and the Lord Great Chamberlain - represented by Black Rod - are the three 'gatekeepers' who have to agree to such an address.
Keir Starmer invited Donald Trump for a second State Visit as part of his charm offensive during a trip to the White House in February (pictured)
Since coming to power David Lammy has been at great pains to avoid criticising Mr Trump, amid frantic efforts to maintain the 'Special Relationship'
A 2017 Parliamentary motion signed by 206 MPs, including Mr Lammy, 'deplored' the US president's behaviour
The US president has suggested the King, who he called his 'friend' and will formally host the state visit, is looking at 'setting a date for September' (pictured in 2019)
That effective ban followed a Parliamentary motion being signed by 206 MPs, including Mr Lammy, 'deploring' the US president's behaviour.
Other now-Cabinet ministers putting their names to the motion were Wes Streeting, Peter Kyle, Hilary Benn and Shabana Mahmood.
The text noted 'the historical significance and honour that comes with an invitation to address both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall or elsewhere in the Palace of Westminster'.
It called on the 'Speaker, Lord Speaker, Black Rod and Serjeant at Arms to withhold permission from the Government for an address to be made in Westminster Hall, or elsewhere in the Palace of Westminster, by President Trump'.
Another Early Day motion in 2019, the year Mr Trump made his first state visit, was signed by Mr Lammy, Mr Streeting and now Leader of the House Lucy Powell among others.
It again 'noted the historical significance and honour that comes with the choice to offer a full state visit to an individual' and urged 'the Prime Minister and the Government to rescind the advice to offer a full state visit to President Trump'.
Since coming to power Labour ministers have been at great pains to avoid criticising Mr Trump, amid frantic efforts to maintain the 'Special Relationship'.
A message sent to Lord McFall, the Lord Speaker, over the weekend said it would be 'inappropriate' for Mr Trump to give an address in the Palace of Westminster.
Co-ordinated by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, a minister in Tony Blair's government, it responded to the suggestion the state visit would be in September.
The message said: 'If it is suggested that he be invited to address both Houses of Parliament, I hope that you and Lindsay will suggest that would be inappropriate on this occasion because of his attitude towards and comments about the UK, parliamentary democracy, the Nato Alliance and Ukraine.'
MPs are also privately lobbying Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle.
Kate Osborne, a Labour MP, asked Sir Lindsay to mirror Mr Bercow's previous decision.
In a letter seen by The Times, she wrote: 'I am asking you as the Speaker to agree it would be inappropriate and mirror the previous Speaker's recommendation.
'It is up to our government to decide if they use the state visit to engage with Trump on a wide range of issues as above but that does not translate to giving him the honour of addressing parliament. The risk of low attendance could also have negative or unintended consequences.'
Another Labour MP said: 'We don't need Trump to lecture and dictate his unilateral terms to our elected representatives.'
However, Tory MP Julian Smith branded the attempt to block the address 'crackers'.
'Almost always better to engage & meet than to boycott - speaking to someone & meeting them doesn't equal agreement,' he posted on X.
Both the Lords and Commons insisted they did not comment on 'private correspondence'.
'Should a request be made to address the Houses of Parliament, it will be considered in the usual way. Any decision would be made by Speakers of both Houses,' a spokesman said.
Senior sources suggested the names that had so far emerged to voice opposition were 'not surprising'.
Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office recently that he 'was invited by the King and the great country' and the State Visit will be 'beautiful'.
He said: 'It is the second time is has happened to one person. The reason is we have two separate terms and it's an honour to be a friend of King Charles and the family, William.'
Mr Trump added: 'I think they are setting a date for September. I don't know how it can be bigger than the last one. The last one was incredible but they say the next one will be even more important.'
The US President is expected to be preceded by Emmanuel Macron, who has received an invitation from the King for his first State Visit at the end of May - eight years after taking office.
Tory MP Julian Smith branded the attempt to block the address 'crackers'
The Lord Speaker Lord McFall was sent a message that it would be 'inappropriate' for Trump to speak in the Palace of Westminster
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock co-ordinated the letter to Lord McFall while MPs are also privately lobbying Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker
During his first spell in the White House, Mr Trump visited both Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II
Labour MPs have sought to avoid criticising the US president openly to avoid making Starmer's job harder as he seeks to seal a trade deal to minimise tariff pain.
Government sources said the UK was pressing to get a deal as soon as possible, and was 'desperate' to do so before May 19.
The date has been pencilled in as a big moment in Starmer's 'EU reset', when he will host Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.
A government insider said: 'Trump hates the EU, so we're desperate to get a deal with him locked in before what will inevitably be a love-in with Brussels.'
In 2011, Mr Obama address an audience of hundreds in Westminster Hall. Standing at a lectern in front of a red carpet, he was watched by then prime minister David Cameron, and predecessors Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Sir John Major.
All three have to agree for a visit to take place, after a request is made by the Government.
Senior sources confirmed to The Mail on Sunday in February that this time both the Lord Speaker and Commons Speaker would welcome a visit.
In 2023, President Zelensky of Ukraine gave a speech in Westminster Hall about the Russian invasion.
There have been 80 addresses to members of both Houses of Parliament since 1935.
Eleven of these were from the monarch but most have been foreign leaders. These include Ronald Reagan in 1982 and Bill Clinton in 1995.
former President Barack Obama gave a speech in Westminster Hall in 2011
