THE area’s MPs are divided on whether it was appropriate for the speaker of the House of Commons to express his opinion on President Donald Trump addressing parliament.

John Bercow has faced calls to consider his position after stating the US leader should not be allowed to address both MPs and lords during his proposed state visit.

He appeared to brand President Trump a racist and sexist during a speech to MPs.

Nigel Evans, who represents the Ribble Valley and who is a former deputy speaker, said the speaker ‘should be neutral in these matters’.

He said leaders have been invited on state visits before where ‘on reflection you might say that their human rights record are well below par’.

“Some people will be somewhat perplexed as to why this one person has been singled out among so many others,” he said.

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern said the prime minister’s desire to be Trump’s ‘apprentice’ was ‘damaging our international reputation’.

She said: “The speaker spoke for the majority of the nation in doing what the government are either unwilling or unable to do in taking a stand against President Trump’s sexism and racism.”

Andrew Stephenson, who represents Pendle, said the speaker was clearly expressing his own opinion whereas the tradition is to speak on behalf of the whole house.

He said: “Most MPs are sceptical about him addressing Parliament but it does seem an unusual outburst for the speaker.”

Burnley MP Julie Cooper said the ‘much respected speaker has shown that decency can and will prevail’.

She said: “He does have the right to make such comments.”

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: “I won’t be attending any speech by Donald Trump.”

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry said: “It is not for the speaker to put himself in aversion to an invitation offered by the Queen.”