Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Labour’s Emily Thornberry says she has ‘large number of things’ to say to Donald Trump on UK trip but can’t do so in front of Queen

Shadow foreign secretary has previously described the US president as ‘giant asteroid of awfulness’

Ashley Cowburn
Political Correspondent
Tuesday 21 May 2019 19:23 BST
Comments
Emily Thornberry says she has a "large number of things" to say to Trump during his state visit

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Emily Thornberry has claimed she has a “large number of things” she wishes to say to Donald Trump during his state visit – just not in front of the Queen.

Ahead of the US president’s trip to the UK in two weeks’ time, the shadow foreign secretary urged Jeremy Corbyn to invite her along to any private meeting he may have with Mr Trump.

Alongside the Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable and the Commons speaker John Bercow, the Labour leader has rejected an invitation to attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in honour of Mr Trump next month.

The Labour frontbencher, who has previously described the US leader as a “an asteroid of awfulness” and a “racist”, dismissed suggestions the decision not to attend the dinner was due to not wanting to share an audience with Mr Trump.

Instead, she said: “We’re saying that we won’t go to the state dinner but if the American president wants to see us then I’m more than happy to see him.”

“If Jeremy is invited to the meet the president I will be urging Jeremy to allow me to come too because I have a large number of things I want to say to him, but I don’t want to say those things to him in front of the Queen.”

Her remarks came as Mr Trump and the first lady Melania prepare to travel to the UK on a state visit between 3-6 June – coinciding with the 75th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings.

Last month, Mr Corbyn turned down an invitation for the state banquet with Mr Trump, claiming: “Theresa May should not be rolling out the red carpet for a state visit to honour a president who rips up vital international treaties, backs climate change denial and uses racist and misogynist rhetoric.”

But the Labour leader added he would “welcome” a meeting with Mr Trump. “Maintaining an important relationship with the United States does not require the pomp and ceremony of a state visit. It is disappointing that the prime minister has again opted to kowtow to this US administration,” he said.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Thornberry also said she was “concerned” about the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran in recent weeks.

“Really the Iranian nuclear deal was the beginnings of progress, the door for progress,” she said. “When Donald Trump closed that door and said he was going to have no more to do with the Iranian nuclear deal – the reason I’m so sad and so concerned about it is that if we don’t go through the door of progress what is the alternative? How do we stop the Iranians developing nuclear weapons?

“And my real worry is particularly with this current administration we could be heading for war.”

During her appearance on the BBC, Ms Thornberry added that unless there were “radical” changes to the prime minister’s Brexit plans before she presents them to the Commons next month, then Labour will vote against the government.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in