- George Bush was last night branded chicken for scrapping
his speech to Parliament because he feared being heckled by anti-war MPs.
-
- The US president planned to give a joint address to the
Commons and Lords during his state visit to Britain.
-
- But senior White House adviser Dr Harlan Ullman said:
"They would have loved to do it because it would have been a great
photo-opportunity.
-
- "But they were fearful it would to turn into a spectacle
with Labour backbenchers walking out."
-
- The decision to abandon the speech came as extraordinary
security measures costing £19million placed London under a state
of virtual siege ahead of Mr Bush's arrival tomorrow.
-
- Roads in Whitehall were closed with concrete blockades.
Overhead, a no-fly zone has been established with the RAF on standby to
shoot down unidentified planes. All police leave is cancelled.
-
- The only speech Mr Bush, who will stay with the Queen
at Buckingham Palace, is now due to give will be to an "invited audience"
at the Banqueting House in Whitehall.
-
- Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn said: "This is yet another
slight on this country by the president of the USA.
-
- "The least he could do is subject himself to questions
from MPs."
-
- And colleague John McDonnell said: "Bush might be
able to run from the protesters, he might be able not to see the banners.
-
- "But he must not be able to hide from the anger
felt across the country at this unjustified war."
-
- Previous world leaders, including Bill Clinton, Nelson
Mandela and Francois Mitterand, have all given speeches to the Lords and
the Commons while visiting Britain.
-
- Tony Blair gave a joint address to the American Senate
and Congress in July.
-
- But earlier this year, Bush was embarrassed when he was
heckled by MPs in Australia.
-
- Downing Street last night refused to comment on the president's
itinerary.
-
- A spokesman said: "We have said consistently the
programme details will be announced at the appropriate moment. There is
nothing to add to this."
-
- The row about the speech came after President Bush set
up a showdown with demonstrators by refusing to be apologetic on the Gulf
war.
-
- In an interview with the BBC's Breakfast with Frost show,
he said they would not "cut and run" from Iraq. He added: "We
will not be defeated by the terrorists."
-
- Mr Bush also refused to grant British pleas for mercy
for the six Britons held in Guantanamo Bay.
-
- He said: "They will go through a military tribunal
at some point, a military tribunal in international accord, or in line
with international accords."
-
|
