Sir Ed Davey will boycott Donald Trump's state banquet next month in protest against the US President's position on Gaza. The Liberal Democrat leader announced on Wednesday he would decline the invitation to the dinner during Trump's state visit in mid-September.
Davey and his wife Emily "spent all summer thinking about this" and "prayed about it" before deciding it was "the one way" to send a message to both Trump and Keir Starmer. He said: "There is no honour like an invitation from the King, and not to accept his invitation goes against all of our instincts."
Unprecedented diplomatic protest
The Liberal Democrat leader fears Trump could receive royal honours without being challenged on Gaza. He said: "I fear we could have a situation where Donald Trump comes to our country, is honoured with a lavish dinner at one of our finest palaces, yet no one reminds him that he has the power to stop the horrifying starvation and death in Gaza and get the hostages released."
Davey believes Trump holds unique influence over the conflict. He said: "If Donald Trump tells Benjamin Netanyahu to stop this, it ends tomorrow. If Donald Trump uses his influence over Qatar and the other Gulf states that Hamas relies on, all the hostages could come home tomorrow."
Gaza crisis continues
Trump has offered mixed signals on Israel's war in Gaza, calling for an end to the conflict and the "real starvation" in the territory. However, he has rejected calls to recognise a Palestinian state and proposed removing Palestinians from Gaza to redevelop it as the "Riviera of the Middle East".
The world's leading authority on food security confirmed last week that Gaza City is suffering from famine. Israel was accused of killing five journalists and 15 others in a strike on a hospital in Gaza on Monday.
Historic state visit details
Trump's state visit is scheduled for September 17-19, making him one of the few world leaders invited for two state visits. The honour is usually reserved for monarchs, with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark the last person to make a second state visit in 2000.
The visit follows Trump's low-key trip to Scotland in July, during which he hosted Keir Starmer at his Turnberry golf course. Details of the September visit are still to be announced, but it will not include an address to Parliament as the Lords and Commons are not sitting.
Political backlash
The Conservatives accused Davey of an "act of deep disrespect" to the King. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said: "It shows appalling judgment. America is our closest ally and security partner, and the world's biggest economy."
She added: "Ed Davey has once again proved he is not a serious leader and more interested in pathetic gesture politics." Davey defended his decision, saying: "Boycotting the banquet is the one way I can send a message to Donald Trump and Keir Starmer that they can't close their eyes and wish this away."
Sources used: "PA Media", "Evening Standard", "The Guardian"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
