MY CAMPAIGN to deny US President Donald Trump the honour of addressing Westminster Hall – the place where Mandela spoke, and Churchill lay in state - is continuing to build.

Last week I tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) – a device that allows MPs to express an opinion on or draw attention to a subject, and gives other members a chance to show their support by signing it – deploring his recent actions, including his travel ban and his comments on torture and women.

I was delighted to hear the words from commons speaker John Bercow on these matters in the chamber on Monday.

You can read the text of EDM 890, and see which MPs have signed it (nearly 190), by going to parliament.uk/edm

I should be clear that I love America, and Americans. My grandfather was an American GI who came to Britain to help us fight the Nazis in the Second World War. I’ve witnessed first-hand the generosity, optimism and kindness of Americans of every race, creed, colour and religion.

I respect the office of the president of the United States; but I cannot honour Donald Trump. Nor do I believe should our Monarch, Parliament or Government.

I am a pragmatist. Trump is the elected president, and America one of our greatest allies and friends. I’ve no objections to necessary meetings, visits, discussions and inter-governmental contact. After all he represents but one part of the US Constitution.

But we choose to honour. We choose to offer the full hospitality of the Queen. We choose to offer the opportunity to address both Houses of Parliament, in Westminster Hall or the Royal Gallery.

And this goes far wider than Trump. I’ve repeatedly criticised the choice to fawn over the authoritarian Monarchies of the Gulf, guilty of vast human rights abuses, the persecution of LGBT+ people and mistreatment of women.

A strong dialogue with China is in our national interest. But the sight of the full honours chosen to be granted to a president whose government executes thousands every year stuck in the throat of many.

We must choose not to honour or encourage those who attack or stand against our basic values of humanity and equality. We should choose not to honour those who denigrate women, advocate torture, and who demonise people because of their faith. Those are not British values.

We should choose not to honour Donald Trump with a state visit. And we should refuse him the honour of Westminster Hall.