Trump is a 'racist, misogynist bully' and 'shouldn't be invited to the UK'

Jo Swinson also said UK PM May should withdraw invitation to US president

UK’s Liberal Democrats’ Deputy Leader has said that US president Donald Trump is a “racist, misogynist bully” and should not be granted a state visit to the UK, The Independent reported.

Addressing her party’s annual conference, Jo Swinson said UK PM May should withdraw the invitation to the US president. She warned against the “politics of the bully” and said, “Trump is a bully, a misogynist and a racist. He boasts about sexually assaulting women.”



“He cruelly mocked a reporter for his disability. He has rolled back trans rights. And for someone who makes much of being straight-talking, he won't call a Nazi a Nazi. Yet the Conservative Government thinks it is right to offer Trump the honour of a state visit to the UK. They are wrong,” she added. “The politics of the bully is back. Human rights are trampled. Climate change is denied. Hate and division are spreading like poison into society.”

May has previously faced criticism of her refusal to directly condemn Trump over his Muslim travel ban and his comments in response to the far-right violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. Swinson said the prime minister’s stance is a sign of the UK’s “weakness in a Brexit world”. She said: "How easily will our values be cast aside in our desperation to sign trade deals to avoid economic catastrophe."

Criticising ‘populists’ who “talk in simple soundbites that scapegoat different groups”, she added: “Faragey, Trumpy, angry, arsey, shouty, slogans aren't a solution to anything.” The Lib Dems’ Deputy Leader, who was elected unopposed in the summer, also claimed that China has become a “voice of reason” in the row over North Korea’s ongoing missile tests, and described Russia as now being “more measured” than America.

Addressing party members, she reiterated the Lib Dems’ commitment to hold a second referendum on any Brexit deal that is negotiated with Brussels, saying: "We are absolutely right to fight for an exit from Brexit. Brexit will make it harder to follow our values, to protect human rights, to tackle climate change, to solve global problems.”

May suggested Trump undertake a state visit to the UK soon after he became president in January. However, a date for the trip has still not been set. Reports suggest the republican is reluctant to visit while British public opinion remains highly critical of him. However, UK government ministers have insisted the issue is simply one of finding an appropriate time for the trip.



Speaking to ABC News on Sunday, May reiterated her claim that the delay in arranging the state visit is simply a matter of ‘logistics’. She said: “Her majesty the queen issued the invitation. The president has accepted it. It’s just a question of getting dates and sorting out the logistics.”