Theresa May has declined to give her 'full confidence' in Speaker John Bercow, after Mr Bercow's attack on US President Donald Trump in the House of Commons yesterday.
Asked for her reaction to Mr Bercow's 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."
Amid calls for Mr Bercow to resign from his post over the incident, the spokesperson was asked if the Prime Minister had 'full confidence' in the speaker, who said: "The speaker is an issue for parliament."
Asked if Mrs May agreed with Mr Bercow's characterisation of Mr Trump as a racist and a sexist, the spokesman said: "In terms of these issues on comments that the president has made in the past, I think the PM herself has addressed that and I can point you to the words that she has used in the past."
The spokesperson said no formal details had been made with regard to Mr Trump's visit. Mr Bercow was speaking with specific regard to whether Mr Trump should be granted the opportunity to address both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall, an honour that is rarely bestowed on visiting heads of state. But almost all state visits involve some form of address to parliamentarians somewhere on the parliamentary estate.
The Speaker of the House is appointed and voted on by MPs, a process in which government has no role. The next speaker, who is expected to be appointed next year, will be elected by secret ballot.
