Cable says Queen ‘should not have to host racist Trump’
THE QUEEN should not have to face the embarrassment of hosting “racist” US president Donald Trump on a state visit, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has said.
Sir Vince questioned why highly controversial international figures are given the honour of royal “panoply” during official trips to the UK.
He said: “I honestly don’t know why the Government, past governments, embarrass the Queen, embarrass the country, by inviting people here for these ceremonial events, which are completely inappropriate.
“And, I think, what will happen if Trump comes, there will be a major expression of public disquiet that we are honouring somebody who is ... racist, misogynist, indulging the most appalling prejudices.”
Sir Vince said Prime Minister Theresa May was regretting her hasty invite to Mr Trump to make a state visit to Britain.
“I think we need to make a distinction between engaging in business-like negotiations with other countries, and, obviously, the United States is the major power in the world, and a key part of Nato, we need to have proper discussions with them, and with him.
“But there is a difference between that and honouring somebody with a state visit involving the Queen, all the panoply of a state visit.
“I think, frankly, the Prime Minister is embarrassed about having made this offer, probably now finds it rather difficult to retract it.”
Sir Vince’s comments came as his predecessor as Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, told the party conference in Bournemouth that the Tories are “breaking Britain” in order to get immigration down.
Mr Farron accused Labour of a cowardly connivance with the Government over EU withdrawal.
The ex-leader said: “Britain’s exit from the European Union is making my country poorer, less safe and it is damaging the future of our children.
“There is one promise that Brexit will fulfil.
“It will reduce immigration without changing a single law.
“Because if you turn Britain into a poorer, meaner, insular place, no-one in their right mind will choose to come here.
“So, the Tories are breaking Britain to repel the immigrants. And they do it with Labour’s shameful connivance. What a disgrace.” It’s completely inappropriate.