Jeremy Corbyn was branded a ‘disgrace’ today as he prepares to spearhead protests against Donald Trump in London.
The Labour leader will speak at a mass demonstration against the US president in Trafalgar Square – after snubbing an invite to a state banquet with the Queen last night.
The attack contrasts sharply with Mr Corbyn’s decision to attend a similar event to honour China‘s communist premier in 2015.
The move was condemned as ‘hysterical’ and ‘virtue signalling’ by MPs from across parties, who warned it risked damaging the Special Relationship.
Pictured: Donald Trump stands for his country’s national anthem as it was played in Buckingham Palace ahead of his address in the ballroom at a banquet snubbed by Corbyn
Fellow Labour frontbenchers Diane Abbott and Emily Thornberry are expected to join protesters who will fly an offensive blimp portraying the President as an angry baby in a nappy.
Mr Trump’s three-day state visit to Britain kicked off yesterday with an extraordinary row between him and Sadiq Khan.
London’s Labour mayor had used a newspaper article at the weekend to accuse the President of resembling a ’20th century fascist’.
After landing at Stansted Mr Trump blasted the mayor in a series of tweets, branding him a ‘stone cold loser’.
And Mr Corbyn then announced that he would be addressing protesters today.
The veteran left-winger, who has spent decades campaigning against US influence around the world, claimed it was an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those Mr Trump has attacked in America, around the world and in our own country.
His decision came despite a warning from Mr Trump at the weekend that intelligence sharing with the UK could be threatened under a hard-Left Labour government unless Mr Corbyn made efforts to get along with Washington.
Former Australian high commissioner Alexander Downer compared Mr Corbyn’s anti-American stance with his willingness to don white tie for a state banquet in honour of Chinese ruler Xi Jinping in 2015.
He added: ‘I talked to Jeremy Corbyn at the state banquet for unelected Xi Jinping but he boycotts the elected President of the United States. What are the real values of the modern left?’
Labour MP Kate Hoey criticised her party’s hostile approach toward the President.
Ms Hoey said she was ‘saddened by the hysterical reaction’ of some senior figures, adding: ‘A democratically elected president of our closest ally should be welcomed whether we agree with his views or not.’
