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Parliament must be recalled in September to allow US President Donald Trump to address MPs and peers, Nigel Farage has told GB News.
The President arrives on September 17, a day after MPs leave for their traditional party conference break on September 16.
They are not scheduled to be back in Westminster until October 13.
Farage, the Reform UK leader, told GB News that Parliament had to be recalled to allow the President to speak to MPs and peers.
Donald Trump is due to undertake a UK state visit in September
REUTERS
He said: “Without doubt – the USA is our most important ally.”
The US President, who was denied the opportunity to address MPs and peers in 2019, accepted the invitation from King Charles for an unprecedented second trip to the UK in February.
The move makes Trump the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits in Britain.
Last week, the Government allowed France’s President Emmanuel Macron to address both Houses of Parliament.
Farage, the Reform UK leader, told GB News that Parliament had to be recalled to allow the President to speak to MPs and peers
GETTY
In his speech, the French President praised the alliance between the UK and France and pointed to their shared history.
Upon landing, Macron expressed appreciation for Sir Keir Starmer’s approach to European relations, praising the Prime Minister’s “willingness” to improve ties with the EU.
Tensions between the US President and the EU remain high after Trump imposed a 30 per cent tariff on goods imported from the European Union.
Concerns had been raised about Labour MPs objecting and even not attending Parliament for the address in a sign of protest.
Tensions between the US President and the EU remain high after Trump imposed a 30 per cent tariff on goods imported from the European Union.
GETTY
Kate Osborne, Labour MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East, wrote to the speaker in April asking him to stop Trump from addressing parliament, and tabled an early-day motion outlining her concerns.
Osborne wrote: “I am asking you as the Speaker to agree it would be inappropriate and mirror the previous Speaker’s recommendation.”
She added: “It is of course 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 the UK parliament, the decision of which I believe should reside with you.
Former US Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have all had the honour of addressing Parliament.
Former US Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have all had the honour of addressing Parliament.
GETTY
The decision risks significant backlash from Trump, who British officials privately acknowledge is sensitive to perceived slights and often makes his opinions clear on his social media platform, Truth Social.
He is thought to have a keen desire for the idea after he was blocked from doing so on his last visit.
More than half-a-million Britons signed a petition calling for the US President to be banned from coming to the UK, triggering a parliamentary debate, after his second visit was announced.
Trump will also make a brief visit to the UK in the coming weeks, with the 47th President expected to spend time at his Scottish golf resort, Trump Turnberry, in Ayrshire.