MP and co-leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, has accused the Prime Minister of trying to “pimp out Parliament” in allowing Donald Trump the possibility of a state visit to the UK.
Her comments come after Speaker of the House, John Bercow, said he would not be inviting the US President to speak at Westminster Hall because of Parliament’s opposition to “racism and sexism”.
In an interview on Sky News, Lucas said she agreed with the Speaker’s comments, adding that she thought the Prime Minister was disregarding concerns over Donald Trump's actions in attempt to "be as friendly as possible" with the US.
“I think we need to remember that being given the privilege of being able to address MPs at Westminster Hall really is an honour that has been accorded to relatively few people,” She said.
“People like the Head of Catholic Church, Nelson Mandela, the first black President. And whatever we think of Donald Trump, I don't know many people that would put him in quite that same category.
"I think we need to be very clear that what's going on here essentially is, Theresa May the Prime Minister is basically trying to rush across the Atlantic, to be as friendly as possible to this President in spite of all the deep concerns about racism, about misogynism around the executive orders."
“What she's really doing by issuing the state visit in the first place and the possibility of this speech in Westminster Hall is pimping out Parliament," Lucas added. "And I think it's quite right for Parliament to stand up and say we will not be used in that way."
Theresa May herself refused to back the Speaker. Asked for her reaction to the remarks, her spokesperson said: "What John Bercow suggests to Parliament is a matter for Parliament.
"What I will set out is our position, which is we've extended this invitation to the president and we look forward to receiving him later this year."
