The speaker of Britain’s House of Commons, John Bercow, is facing a motion of no confidence after blocking U.S. President Donald Trump from addressing Parliament during his state visit to the United Kingdom.
James Duddridge has tabled the motion to put pressure on Bercow, who accused Trump of “racism and sexism” Monday. The speaker role is non-political and Duddridge said Bercow clearly overstepped the mark with his comments. (RELATED: Trump Not Welcome In UK Parliament, Speaker Says)
“I’ve done this because Speaker Bercow for a long time has been overstepping the mark and with his comments on the state visit [of Trump] he has clearly expressed views,” Duddridge told BBC. “That is not the role of the Speaker, and it is impossible for him to chair debates as Speaker adjudicating on things he has expressed a view on.”
Up to 150 conservative MPs are ready to back the motion, according to The Telegraph.
Bercow is one of three officials who must approve invitations to speak in Westminster Hall. Bercow further urged Prime Minister to retract Trump’s invitation to the U.K. altogether.
“Before the imposition of the migrant ban, I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall,” Bercow told MPs Monday. “After the imposition of the migrant ban I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.”
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