Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

United Kingdom

UK left-wing Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn turns down invitation to Trump state banquet

By Adam Shaw Fox News
Published
close
Fox News Flash top headlines for April 26 Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for April 26

Fox News Flash top headlines for April 26 are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com

Britain's left-wing Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has snubbed an invitation to a state dinner featuring President Trump when Trump visits London in June -- foreshadowing the controversy that Trump's visit will likely spark.

“Theresa May should not be rolling out the red carpet for a state visit to honor a president who rips up vital international treaties, backs climate change denial and uses racist and misogynist rhetoric,” Corbyn said in a statement.

TRUMP TO VISIT UK, FRANCE IN JUNE FOR D-DAY ANNIVERSARY

Trump is visiting the U.K. from June 3-5 to mark the anniversary of D-Day, before traveling to France.

But Corbyn, who came close to entering 10 Downing Street after a tight 2017 general election, has long been a critic of Trump -- particularly on the question of immigration. He called for Trump’s working visit last year to be canceled over the controversy surrounding family separation at the border.

DESPITE ANGER IN LONDON, TRUMP FINDS SUPPORT IN ENGLAND'S PRO-BREXIT WORKING-CLASS TOWNS

In his statement Friday, he focused his attention on the decision to grant Trump a state visit -- which includes a formal meeting with Queen Elizabeth II and other ceremonies.

Britain's Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is filmed on an 'eco bus' in Nottingham, England, Thursday April 25, 2019. 

Britain's Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is filmed on an 'eco bus' in Nottingham, England, Thursday April 25, 2019.  (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

"Maintaining an important relationship with the United States does not require the pomp and ceremony of a State Visit,” he said. “It is disappointing that the Prime Minister has again opted to kowtow to this U.S. administration.”

However, he said that he would “welcome a meeting with President Trump to discuss all matters of interest."

Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable and House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, who had previously opposed Trump addressing Parliament, have also refused the invitation, according to The Times of London. Left-wing activists have already scheduled protests for Trump's visit, similar to those that Trump's working visit saw last year.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Trump’s visit comes shortly after he has repeated his support for a U.S.-U.K. trade deal after Britain leaves the European Union.

"My administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom,” he tweeted last month. “The potential is unlimited!”