Plan B Forum

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow would be "strongly opposed" to US President Donald Trump addressing the Houses of Parliament during his state visit to the UK, he has said.

Mr Bercow told MPs that "opposition to racism and sexism" were "hugely important considerations".

Labour and the SNP praised him but critics said he should stay neutral.

President Trump was invited to make a state visit after meeting Theresa May in Washington last month.

A petition to withdraw the invitation - and another one backing the visit - will be debated by MPs later this month.

Responding to a point of order in the Commons, Mr Bercow set out his opposition to a Parliamentary address as part of the state visit.

He told MPs that addressing the Lords and the Commons was "an earned honour", not an "automatic right".

He said he was one of three "key-holders" for Westminster Hall, and referred to the US president's controversial travel ban.

"Before the imposition of the migrant ban, I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall," he said.

"After the imposition of the migrant ban I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall."

The Speaker said he would also be involved in any invitation to address Parliament's Royal Gallery.