The Prime Minister appeared to completely rule out any chance of President Trump addressing MPs in Parliament during his upcoming state visit as the pair spoke to journalists in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Trump was asked by GB News’s Bev Turner whether he would speak to Nigel Farage and his fellow MPs as sometimes happens during a state visit to the UK.
This was demonstrated last week when France’s President Emmanuel Macron gave an address to both Houses of Parliament during his three-day state visit to the UK.
Trump will not be given the same opportunity during his three-day trip in September as it coincides with the House of Commons breaking for its traditional party conference season.
GB NEWS
|Nigel Farage and Donald Trump addressed the media
Asked by Bev if he would like to address Farage and other MPs, he said: “I like Nigel. Nigel is a friend of mine and he has done very well. Keir is a friend of mine.”
Starmer appeared to pour cold water on the idea, saying: “Parliament is in recess at the time but I do want to be clear, this is an unprecedented and very special state visit.
“This has never been done before and there are many elements of it that have never been seen before. It will be a historic occasion.
“We’re all very much looking forward to it and I was very pleased to be able to forward the invitation when we were in the White House earlier this year. State visits are always incredible occasions but this is an unprecedented second state visit.
GB NEWS
|Nigel Farage said it is 'shoddy' that Trump will not address MPs
“You can imagine how special that’s going to be.”
Trump added: “The fact that it’s never been done before and that’s because it’s non-consecutive made it even more interesting.
“Being with Charles and Camilla, who I’ve got to know, they are really great people. The UK is very lucky.
“You could have people that weren’t great people. If he [Starmer] wants me to speak in Parliament, I’ll do it.”
REUTERS | Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th President of the United States
Farage spoke earlier this month about Trump not being able to address MPs in Parliament, describing it as “shoddy” and “cowardly”.
The Reform UK leader took aim at the Labour Government over the timing of the trip, saying it showed where their “real priorities” lay, Europe.
Downing Street denied the trip had been arranged in order for it to coincide with the recess, saying Buckingham Palace were responsible for the logistics.
State visits, however, are normally organised in conjunction with the Government.
Parliamentary speeches during state visits are not automatic and only around one in four since 1952 have included a formal address.
Three US Presidents have addressed Parliament since World War Two: Ronald Reagan in 1982, Bill Clinton in 1995 and Barack Obama in 2011.