His comments came during a lively debate between MPs on whether Mr Trump should be prevented from entering the United Kingdom following comments he made about banning Muslims from America. By British law, petitions which have more than 1,00,000 signatures must be considered for debate in the Parliament.
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The Democratic National Committee gleefully highlighted the debate, and linked to live web video of the debate in London, saying it was “shameful” that a Republican presidential candidate was the subject of such a debate.
Some disagreed with the need to ban Trump – but not because they particularly like the guy.
The debate, which will be held in the UK Parliament’s Westminster Hall at 4.30 p.m. local time (11.30 a.m. ET), is a result of a petition that Scottish freelance journalist and activist Suzanne Kelly launched last month to block the former reality TV star from British shores.
“We give him the role of martyrdom, which can seem to be an advantage among those that support him”, the lawmaker warned.
“We shouldn’t build him up with our attacks”.
“Hate crime is being inflamed and stoked by the words that Donald Trump is using”, said Tulip Siddiq, an MP for Hampstead and Kilburn.
Paul Flynn, a left-wing Labour MP, led the debate, comparing the potential banning of Trump to a previous decision by the British Home Secretary to ban the Islamophobic Danish politician Geert Wilders from the UK.
During the debate, various speakers called the billionaire businessman “the orange prince of self-publicity”, “racist”, “misogynistic”, “homophobic”, “a demagogue” and an “idiot”.
“His words are not comical”.
The debate came after some 575,000 people signed a petition on the parliament’s website, with 43,000 supporting an alternative petition not to ban Trump.
London Mayor Boris Johnson labeled them “complete and utter nonsense”, adding that “the only reason I wouldn’t go to some parts of NY is the real risk of meeting Donald Trump”.
Victoria Atkins, an MP for the ruling Conservative Party, said Trump’s “comments regarding Muslims are wrong”.
The SNP’s Corri Wilson, who represents Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock which covers Turnberry, said staff at the resort were overwhelmingly behind Mr Trump’s involvement.
While there was that Trump’s comments about Muslims and other groups were offensive, many in the country’s ruling Conservative Party said that the value of protecting free speech outweighed his remarks.
Ultimately the MPs did not vote on the matter, and Prime Minister David Cameron, who has the final say, had already indicated he had no intention of banning Mr Trump.
The MP for Newport West said he intends to pay a “heartfelt tribute” to the U.S. as the “home of democracy” and will seek to represent the “anger of petitioners” over Mr Trump’s views on Mexicans, Muslims, global warming and guns.
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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is also not in favour of a ban, adding he wanted to take Mr Trump to a mosque.
