Kanye West appears to have deleted tweets about a meeting with Donald Trump last year, with reports suggesting he is unhappy with the US President's actions since taking office.
West had emerged as one of Mr Trump's biggest celebrity supporters, and met the then President-elect at Trump Tower on 13 December.
After the talks, the rapper tweeted that he felt it "important to have a direct line of communication with our future President if we truly want change".
But this post and others about the meeting, during which he had planned to discuss "bullying, supporting teachers, modernising curriculums and violence in Chicago", were missing from his account on Monday.
It is not clear why the tweets have now been deleted, and West's representatives did not return requests for comment, the Reuters news agency said.
Celebrity website TMZ, quoting an unidentified source, said West deleted the tweets because he is unhappy about Mr Trump's actions since he was sworn in on 20 January.
These include a ban on travellers to the United States from seven predominantly Muslim nations.
Mr Trump has also said he will "send in the Feds" to "fix the horrible 'carnage' going on" in Chicago, where West was raised, due to high crime rates.
"Kanye's decision to remove the tweets were all his," TMZ wrote. "The 'Muslim ban' and other actions were the catalyst for his decision."
West, 39, was one of Trump's most high-profile supporters during the 2016 election campaign.
He made headlines in November when he was booed at a concert for declaring his support for Mr Trump, although he said he had not voted in the election.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Male contraceptive and vasectomy gel tested successfully on monkeys
A male contraceptive gel has been successfully tested in monkeys, bringing the prospect of an alternative form of birth control for humans one step closer.
Vasalgel is injected into the two vas deferens tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles, and creates a blockage.
It has also been designed to provide a reversible alternative to vasectomy.
A study in rabbits last year showed the contraceptive gel, which is not classified as a pharmaceutical product, can be removed by flushing the duct with baking soda solution.
In the new trial, the gel, made by the non-profit Parsemus Foundation in Berkeley, California, prevented any conceptions occurring in a test group of 16 rhesus monkeys.
Clinical trials on humans are expected to begin next year.
:: Male contraceptive jab 96% effective in trial... and increases libido
Lead scientist Dr Catherine VandeVoort, from the California National Primate Research Centre, said: "Vasalgel shows real promise as an alternative to vasectomy.
"Importantly, we show that the method of Vasalgel placement is safe and produced fewer complications than usually occur with a vasectomy.
"Although it is possible to reverse a vasectomy, it is a technically challenging procedure and patients often have very low rates of fertility following reversal."
One of the treated monkeys showed signs of sperm granuloma, a hard build-up of sperm in the vas deferens - a non-serious complication that affects around 60% of men undergoing a vasectomy, researchers said..
Professor Adam Balen, chairman of the British Fertility Society, said: "If free of side effects then this novel approach has the potential for great promise as a male contraceptive.
"It is essential to know that the reversibility remains, irrespective of the duration of use."
Allan Pacey, professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield, said the idea of trying to replace the traditional method of vasectomy with a gel is not a new one, but added: "We haven't seen much progress in developing the idea in recent years, so this study is a useful step in the right direction."
Vasalgel is injected into the two vas deferens tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles, and creates a blockage.
It has also been designed to provide a reversible alternative to vasectomy.
A study in rabbits last year showed the contraceptive gel, which is not classified as a pharmaceutical product, can be removed by flushing the duct with baking soda solution.
In the new trial, the gel, made by the non-profit Parsemus Foundation in Berkeley, California, prevented any conceptions occurring in a test group of 16 rhesus monkeys.
Clinical trials on humans are expected to begin next year.
:: Male contraceptive jab 96% effective in trial... and increases libido
Lead scientist Dr Catherine VandeVoort, from the California National Primate Research Centre, said: "Vasalgel shows real promise as an alternative to vasectomy.
"Importantly, we show that the method of Vasalgel placement is safe and produced fewer complications than usually occur with a vasectomy.
"Although it is possible to reverse a vasectomy, it is a technically challenging procedure and patients often have very low rates of fertility following reversal."
One of the treated monkeys showed signs of sperm granuloma, a hard build-up of sperm in the vas deferens - a non-serious complication that affects around 60% of men undergoing a vasectomy, researchers said..
Professor Adam Balen, chairman of the British Fertility Society, said: "If free of side effects then this novel approach has the potential for great promise as a male contraceptive.
"It is essential to know that the reversibility remains, irrespective of the duration of use."
Allan Pacey, professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield, said the idea of trying to replace the traditional method of vasectomy with a gel is not a new one, but added: "We haven't seen much progress in developing the idea in recent years, so this study is a useful step in the right direction."
Speaker John Bercow criticised over 'wholly inappropriate' Donald Trump rebuke
Commons Speaker John Bercow has been caught up in controversy after saying Donald Trump should not be allowed to address Parliament during his state visit.
Mr Bercow's attack in the House was applauded by MPs who oppose the US President, but critics have hit out at his intervention.
Conservative MP James Duddridge told Sky News it was "most bizarre", adding: "It is wholly inappropriate for the Speaker of the House to enter the fray on this issue."
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid told Sky News Mr Bercow "likes to speak his mind", but stressed he "doesn't speak for the Government".
Asked for the Prime Minister's reaction to the comments, her spokesman said: "What John Bercow suggests to Parliament is a matter for Parliament.
"What I will set out is our position which is we've extended this invitation to the president and we look forward to receiving him later this year."
When asked if Theresa May agreed with Mr Bercow's characterisation of Mr Trump as a racist and a sexist, the spokesman said: "In terms of these issues on comments that the president has made in the past, I think the PM herself has addressed that and I can point you to the words that she has used in the past."
Addressing MPs on Monday, Mr Bercow cited Mr Trump's controversial travel ban as one of the reasons for his opposition to inviting the President to Westminster.
Chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Crispin Blunt said it was the Speaker's duty to remain neutral.
He said: "He has no idea whether he will be speaking for a majority of the House of Commons, and this is why speakers do not express their opinion.
"That's the entire point, otherwise they can't remain neutral and above the political fray."
Iraqi-born Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi, who criticised Mr Trump's travel ban after learning he could be caught up in it, told the BBC the Speaker should "think about" his position and explain his remarks.
Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg told Sky's All Out Politics he could understand why Mr Bercow had "reacted to this pressure from the Government" with his "unconventional" statement.
The Liberal Democrat's Europe spokesman claimed Mrs May was "pushing" for a state visit in a "premature, rushed and demeaning way", and warned the PM to be "much more cautious and tentative".
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was among those to back Mr Bercow, writing on Twitter: "Well said John Bercow. We must stand up for our country's values. Trump's state visit should not go ahead."
Mr Javid made reference to the controversy in the Commons later, quipping he had hoped his housing White Paper would be dominating the headlines, "but it seems someone else has beaten me to it".
Mr Bercow responded: "Let me just gently say to the Rt Hon Gentleman I did make my statement to the House first."
Only a select few world statesmen and women have been granted the honour of addressing the Commons and the Lords in Westminster Hall.
Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton spoke in the Royal Gallery, a room in Parliament often used for state receptions, while other leaders have had to address Parliament from the Queen's Robing Room in the Lords.
Mr Bercow's attack in the House was applauded by MPs who oppose the US President, but critics have hit out at his intervention.
Conservative MP James Duddridge told Sky News it was "most bizarre", adding: "It is wholly inappropriate for the Speaker of the House to enter the fray on this issue."
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid told Sky News Mr Bercow "likes to speak his mind", but stressed he "doesn't speak for the Government".
Asked for the Prime Minister's reaction to the comments, her spokesman said: "What John Bercow suggests to Parliament is a matter for Parliament.
"What I will set out is our position which is we've extended this invitation to the president and we look forward to receiving him later this year."
When asked if Theresa May agreed with Mr Bercow's characterisation of Mr Trump as a racist and a sexist, the spokesman said: "In terms of these issues on comments that the president has made in the past, I think the PM herself has addressed that and I can point you to the words that she has used in the past."
Addressing MPs on Monday, Mr Bercow cited Mr Trump's controversial travel ban as one of the reasons for his opposition to inviting the President to Westminster.
Chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Crispin Blunt said it was the Speaker's duty to remain neutral.
He said: "He has no idea whether he will be speaking for a majority of the House of Commons, and this is why speakers do not express their opinion.
"That's the entire point, otherwise they can't remain neutral and above the political fray."
Iraqi-born Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi, who criticised Mr Trump's travel ban after learning he could be caught up in it, told the BBC the Speaker should "think about" his position and explain his remarks.
Former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg told Sky's All Out Politics he could understand why Mr Bercow had "reacted to this pressure from the Government" with his "unconventional" statement.
The Liberal Democrat's Europe spokesman claimed Mrs May was "pushing" for a state visit in a "premature, rushed and demeaning way", and warned the PM to be "much more cautious and tentative".
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was among those to back Mr Bercow, writing on Twitter: "Well said John Bercow. We must stand up for our country's values. Trump's state visit should not go ahead."
Mr Javid made reference to the controversy in the Commons later, quipping he had hoped his housing White Paper would be dominating the headlines, "but it seems someone else has beaten me to it".
Mr Bercow responded: "Let me just gently say to the Rt Hon Gentleman I did make my statement to the House first."
Only a select few world statesmen and women have been granted the honour of addressing the Commons and the Lords in Westminster Hall.
Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton spoke in the Royal Gallery, a room in Parliament often used for state receptions, while other leaders have had to address Parliament from the Queen's Robing Room in the Lords.
Monday, February 6, 2017
Syrian officials guilty of 'mass hangings' at jail, report claims
The Syrian government has executed up to 13,000 prisoners in mass hangings at a prison near Damascus since 2011, Amnesty International says.
A report by the human rights group also claims systematic torture has been carried out at the military jail, which is referred to by detainees as "the slaughterhouse".
Some inmates were allegedly executed after a "sham trial" lasting no more than a couple of minutes - and the killings were often authorised by senior Syrian officials, including deputies of President Bashar al Assad.
Amnesty's most recent figures suggest an average of 20 to 50 people were hanged every week at the Saydnaya prison between 2011 and 2015 - but many thousands more may have been executed since then.
The organisation has described the executions as a war crime, and is calling for a UN investigation.
Its report said: "The victims are overwhelmingly civilians who are thought to oppose the government. Many other detainees have been killed after being repeatedly tortured and systematically deprived of food, water, medicine and medical care."
Lynn Maalouf, deputy director for research at Amnesty's office in Beirut, added: "The horrors depicted in this report reveal a hidden, monstrous campaign, authorised at the highest levels of the Syrian government, aimed at crushing any form of dissent within the Syrian population."
The report said executions were often carried out in secret. Those killed were buried at mass graves outside the capital, but families were never informed of their fate.
Amnesty interviewed more than 30 ex-inmates at the prison and dozens of other officials and experts, including former guards and judges.
A report by the human rights group also claims systematic torture has been carried out at the military jail, which is referred to by detainees as "the slaughterhouse".
Some inmates were allegedly executed after a "sham trial" lasting no more than a couple of minutes - and the killings were often authorised by senior Syrian officials, including deputies of President Bashar al Assad.
Amnesty's most recent figures suggest an average of 20 to 50 people were hanged every week at the Saydnaya prison between 2011 and 2015 - but many thousands more may have been executed since then.
The organisation has described the executions as a war crime, and is calling for a UN investigation.
Its report said: "The victims are overwhelmingly civilians who are thought to oppose the government. Many other detainees have been killed after being repeatedly tortured and systematically deprived of food, water, medicine and medical care."
Lynn Maalouf, deputy director for research at Amnesty's office in Beirut, added: "The horrors depicted in this report reveal a hidden, monstrous campaign, authorised at the highest levels of the Syrian government, aimed at crushing any form of dissent within the Syrian population."
The report said executions were often carried out in secret. Those killed were buried at mass graves outside the capital, but families were never informed of their fate.
Amnesty interviewed more than 30 ex-inmates at the prison and dozens of other officials and experts, including former guards and judges.
MPs to debate calls for a vote on final terms of Brexit
Demands for a Commons vote on the final terms of Brexit are to be debated by MPs on day two of the committee stage of the Government's Article 50 Bill.
After MPs sat until after midnight on day one and debated the Bill for seven hours, MPs will also hear calls for impact assessments on the UK leaving the European Union.
During day two, the Prime Minister will be hoping to avoid a potential Tory rebellion over how Parliament will be allowed to vote on the final Brexit deal.
An amendment to the Article 50 Bill tabled by Labour's former Shadow Chancellor Chris Leslie and supported by Labour backbenchers and smaller parties could attract Tory support.
Pro-Remain Tory MP Anna Soubry has said she may have "no alternative" but to vote against the Government unless a vote on the Brexit deal is guaranteed before it is agreed with the EU.
The first day of the committee stage ended with comfortable Government majorities in three votes on amendments tabled by Labour and the Scottish and Welsh Nationalists to the Article 50 Bill.
But shortly before the final votes there was a furious row between the SNP's Alex Salmond and the Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle which came close to seeing Mr Salmond thrown out of the chamber.
The former Scottish First Minister, now his party's foreign affairs spokesman, shouted in a rage at Mr Hoyle after the Deputy Speaker cut short the speech of his SNP colleague Joanna Cherry to allow a minister to reply to the debate.
The first of the three midnight votes, on a Labour new clause calling for more consultation of the Joint Ministerial Committee of Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish ministers was defeated by 333-276, a Government majority of 57.
The second, on an SNP call for unanimous backing for the Government's Brexit deal from the Joint Ministerial Committee, was defeated by 332-62, a Government majority of 270.
And the third and final vote of the night, on Plaid Cymru's call for continued levels of EU funding for Wales after Brexit, was defeated by 330-267, a Government majority of 63.
Three hours earlier, a Labour new clause calling for Parliament to be kept informed of Brexit negotiations every two months was defeated by 333-284, a Government majority of 49.
The Government's full turnout of Tory MPs was achieved by leaving nothing to chance, even sending a coach to a Tory fundraising party in Battersea Park to bring Conservative MPs back to the Commons to vote.
During the fundraising event, a copy of Theresa May's Lancaster House speech on Brexit was auctioned for £110,000 and a copy of her Philadelphia speech to leading Republicans for £70,000.
Labour, meanwhile, faced more rancour and recriminations over the party's split on Brexit, with the mood at the weekly meeting of the Parliament Labour Party (PLP) described as "bloody" by one senior Labour MP.
At the PLP meeting, Labour's chief whip Nick Brown faced criticism of Jeremy Corbyn's decision to impose a three-line whip on his MPs in last week's vote on the Article 50 Bill's second reading, when 47 Labour MPs rebelled.
There was also fury among many Labour MPs aimed at the Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, who missed the vote claiming she had a migraine, despite speaking in the Commons only hours before the vote.
Mr Brown told Labour MPs he was "a firm advocate of consistency", which most of those present took as a clear signal that Labour MPs will be ordered to vote for the Bill's third reading in the Commons on Wednesday.
If waverers inside the Shadow Cabinet like Ms Abbott or the Shadow Business Secretary Clive Lewis fail to obey the Labour leader's orders, they are likely to have to resign or be sacked, plunging Labour into further turmoil.
A formal decision on Labour's strategy for the crucial third reading vote will be taken by the shadow cabinet shortly before day two of the Bill's committee stage gets under way in the Commons.
After MPs sat until after midnight on day one and debated the Bill for seven hours, MPs will also hear calls for impact assessments on the UK leaving the European Union.
During day two, the Prime Minister will be hoping to avoid a potential Tory rebellion over how Parliament will be allowed to vote on the final Brexit deal.
An amendment to the Article 50 Bill tabled by Labour's former Shadow Chancellor Chris Leslie and supported by Labour backbenchers and smaller parties could attract Tory support.
Pro-Remain Tory MP Anna Soubry has said she may have "no alternative" but to vote against the Government unless a vote on the Brexit deal is guaranteed before it is agreed with the EU.
The first day of the committee stage ended with comfortable Government majorities in three votes on amendments tabled by Labour and the Scottish and Welsh Nationalists to the Article 50 Bill.
But shortly before the final votes there was a furious row between the SNP's Alex Salmond and the Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle which came close to seeing Mr Salmond thrown out of the chamber.
The former Scottish First Minister, now his party's foreign affairs spokesman, shouted in a rage at Mr Hoyle after the Deputy Speaker cut short the speech of his SNP colleague Joanna Cherry to allow a minister to reply to the debate.
The first of the three midnight votes, on a Labour new clause calling for more consultation of the Joint Ministerial Committee of Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish ministers was defeated by 333-276, a Government majority of 57.
The second, on an SNP call for unanimous backing for the Government's Brexit deal from the Joint Ministerial Committee, was defeated by 332-62, a Government majority of 270.
And the third and final vote of the night, on Plaid Cymru's call for continued levels of EU funding for Wales after Brexit, was defeated by 330-267, a Government majority of 63.
Three hours earlier, a Labour new clause calling for Parliament to be kept informed of Brexit negotiations every two months was defeated by 333-284, a Government majority of 49.
The Government's full turnout of Tory MPs was achieved by leaving nothing to chance, even sending a coach to a Tory fundraising party in Battersea Park to bring Conservative MPs back to the Commons to vote.
During the fundraising event, a copy of Theresa May's Lancaster House speech on Brexit was auctioned for £110,000 and a copy of her Philadelphia speech to leading Republicans for £70,000.
Labour, meanwhile, faced more rancour and recriminations over the party's split on Brexit, with the mood at the weekly meeting of the Parliament Labour Party (PLP) described as "bloody" by one senior Labour MP.
At the PLP meeting, Labour's chief whip Nick Brown faced criticism of Jeremy Corbyn's decision to impose a three-line whip on his MPs in last week's vote on the Article 50 Bill's second reading, when 47 Labour MPs rebelled.
There was also fury among many Labour MPs aimed at the Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, who missed the vote claiming she had a migraine, despite speaking in the Commons only hours before the vote.
Mr Brown told Labour MPs he was "a firm advocate of consistency", which most of those present took as a clear signal that Labour MPs will be ordered to vote for the Bill's third reading in the Commons on Wednesday.
If waverers inside the Shadow Cabinet like Ms Abbott or the Shadow Business Secretary Clive Lewis fail to obey the Labour leader's orders, they are likely to have to resign or be sacked, plunging Labour into further turmoil.
A formal decision on Labour's strategy for the crucial third reading vote will be taken by the shadow cabinet shortly before day two of the Bill's committee stage gets under way in the Commons.
Speaker John Bercow 'strongly' opposes Trump address to Parliament
Commons Speaker John Bercow has dramatically vetoed President Trump addressing Parliament during his state visit to the UK later this year.
The Speaker was cheered loudly and applauded by MPs after he denounced the President and said he would refuse to invite him to Westminster.
The applause came at the end of a lengthy statement from Mr Bercow in which he said the House of Commons believes in equality and an independent judiciary.
Mr Bercow's bombshell announcement came in response to a plea from Labour MP Steve Doughty, who has tabled a Commons motion calling on the parliamentary authorities to withhold permission.
Responding to Mr Doughty, Mr Bercow said there was no automatic right for foreign leaders to address Parliament during a visit to the UK, it was an earned honour.
He told MPs: "There are many precedents for state visits to take place to our country which do not include an address to both Houses of Parliament."
"The second point is in relation to Westminster Hall there are three key holders to Westminster Hall, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Speaker of the House of Lords and the Lord Great Chamberlain.
"Ordinarily we are able to work by consensus and the hall would be used for a purpose such as an address or another purpose by agreement of the three key holders.
"I must say to you, to all who signed your early day motion and to others with strong views about this matter on either side of the argument that before the imposition of the migrant ban I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.
"After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall."
Mr Bercow went on: "We value our relationship with the United States. If a state visit takes place, that is way beyond and above the pay grade of the speaker.
"However, as far as this place is concerned, I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism and our support for equality before the law, and an independent judiciary, are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons."
On the question of whether President Trump should speak in the Royal Gallery rather than Westminster Hall, Mr Bercow added: "So far as the Royal Gallery is concerned, and again I operate on advice, I do not perhaps have as strong a say in that matter.
"It is in a different part of the building although customarily an invitation to a visiting leader to deliver an address there would be issued in the names of the two speakers."
But he told MPs: "I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump to speak in the Royal Gallery."
Immediately after the applause, veteran left-wing MP Dennis Skinner rose and told Mr Bercow: "Two words: well done!"
Mr Bercow then responded: "I will let the applause go… this time."
Reacting to Mr Bercow's statement, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "This is the right decision by The Speaker.
"The Prime Minister might wish to kowtow to the nasty misogynist that now sits in the Oval Office but no-one else does. We do not want him to speak to us. He is not welcome.
"Speaking within Parliament is a rare honour, the highest honour we can offer.
"In the past, we have hosted speeches from leaders in equality, justice and human rights, from Mandela to Obama to Aung San Suu Kyi. Trump is not fit to shine their shoes."
A Downing Street spokesperson responded to the comments, saying: "We look forward to welcoming the President to the UK later this year. The dates and arrangements for the state visit will be worked out in due course."
And Mr Trump's friend Nigel Farage, the former UKIP leader, tweeted: "For Speaker Bercow to uphold our finest Parliamentary traditions, he should be neutral."
Only a select few world statesmen and women have been granted the honour of addressing the Commons and the Lords under the magnificent hammer-beam roof of Westminster Hall.
It has a central role in British history, from Richard II's removal as king to the trial of King Charles I.
It served as the location for the lying-in-state of Winston Churchill, several monarchs and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
Presidents Reagan and Clinton spoke in the Royal Gallery. Some other leaders have had to address Parliament from the Queen's Robing Room in the Lords.
But with Barack Obama having been allowed to make his own speech in Westminster Hall in 2011, Mr Bercow's dramatic intervention is a huge snub to the new President.
The Speaker was cheered loudly and applauded by MPs after he denounced the President and said he would refuse to invite him to Westminster.
The applause came at the end of a lengthy statement from Mr Bercow in which he said the House of Commons believes in equality and an independent judiciary.
Mr Bercow's bombshell announcement came in response to a plea from Labour MP Steve Doughty, who has tabled a Commons motion calling on the parliamentary authorities to withhold permission.
Responding to Mr Doughty, Mr Bercow said there was no automatic right for foreign leaders to address Parliament during a visit to the UK, it was an earned honour.
He told MPs: "There are many precedents for state visits to take place to our country which do not include an address to both Houses of Parliament."
"The second point is in relation to Westminster Hall there are three key holders to Westminster Hall, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Speaker of the House of Lords and the Lord Great Chamberlain.
"Ordinarily we are able to work by consensus and the hall would be used for a purpose such as an address or another purpose by agreement of the three key holders.
"I must say to you, to all who signed your early day motion and to others with strong views about this matter on either side of the argument that before the imposition of the migrant ban I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.
"After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall."
Mr Bercow went on: "We value our relationship with the United States. If a state visit takes place, that is way beyond and above the pay grade of the speaker.
"However, as far as this place is concerned, I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism and our support for equality before the law, and an independent judiciary, are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons."
On the question of whether President Trump should speak in the Royal Gallery rather than Westminster Hall, Mr Bercow added: "So far as the Royal Gallery is concerned, and again I operate on advice, I do not perhaps have as strong a say in that matter.
"It is in a different part of the building although customarily an invitation to a visiting leader to deliver an address there would be issued in the names of the two speakers."
But he told MPs: "I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump to speak in the Royal Gallery."
Immediately after the applause, veteran left-wing MP Dennis Skinner rose and told Mr Bercow: "Two words: well done!"
Mr Bercow then responded: "I will let the applause go… this time."
Reacting to Mr Bercow's statement, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "This is the right decision by The Speaker.
"The Prime Minister might wish to kowtow to the nasty misogynist that now sits in the Oval Office but no-one else does. We do not want him to speak to us. He is not welcome.
"Speaking within Parliament is a rare honour, the highest honour we can offer.
"In the past, we have hosted speeches from leaders in equality, justice and human rights, from Mandela to Obama to Aung San Suu Kyi. Trump is not fit to shine their shoes."
A Downing Street spokesperson responded to the comments, saying: "We look forward to welcoming the President to the UK later this year. The dates and arrangements for the state visit will be worked out in due course."
And Mr Trump's friend Nigel Farage, the former UKIP leader, tweeted: "For Speaker Bercow to uphold our finest Parliamentary traditions, he should be neutral."
Only a select few world statesmen and women have been granted the honour of addressing the Commons and the Lords under the magnificent hammer-beam roof of Westminster Hall.
It has a central role in British history, from Richard II's removal as king to the trial of King Charles I.
It served as the location for the lying-in-state of Winston Churchill, several monarchs and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
Presidents Reagan and Clinton spoke in the Royal Gallery. Some other leaders have had to address Parliament from the Queen's Robing Room in the Lords.
But with Barack Obama having been allowed to make his own speech in Westminster Hall in 2011, Mr Bercow's dramatic intervention is a huge snub to the new President.
Donald Trump: Americans are in favour of travel ban
Donald Trump has asserted he has popular support for his travel ban and claimed polls which suggest otherwise "are fake news".
The President is fighting to restore the controversial executive order, which was halted after a ruling by federal judge James Robert.
On Sunday, an appeal court denied a formal request by the US Department of Justice to lift the suspension on the ban, which temporarily blocked all refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US.
Mr Trump's administration has until 3pm on Monday (11pm GMT) to file more arguments before a final decision is made.
Hitting out a CNN poll which suggested 53% of Americans were opposed to the measure, Mr Trump tweeted: "Any negative polls are fake news, just like the CNN, ABC, NBC polls in the election.
"Sorry, people want border security and extreme vetting.
He added: "I call my own shots, largely based on an accumulation of data, and everyone knows it. Some FAKE NEWS media, in order to marginalize, lies!"
:: Budweiser's Super Bowl immigration ad sparks boycott calls
Mr Trump's comments came as a group of prominent Democrats, including former secretaries of state John Kerry and Madeleine Albright, called for a federal appeals court to uphold its suspension of the travel ban.
In a brief submitted to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the officials described the executive order as "ill-conceived, poorly implemented and ill-explained".
The group, which also includes ex-national security adviser Susan Rice and former Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano, also argued that the ban feeds Islamic State propaganda that the US is at war with Islam.
They said: "We view the order as one that ultimately undermines the national security of the United States, rather than making us safer.
"Reinstating the executive order would wreak havoc on innocent lives and deeply held American values."
It follows another brief jointly submitted to the court by 97 companies, mostly from the US tech industry.
:: Is President Trump still trying to be a tycoon?
The firms - which include Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter - said Mr Trump's executive order "inflicts significant harm on American business, innovation, and growth".
They added the measure "departs dramatically from the principles that have governed our immigration law for decades".
The President is fighting to restore the controversial executive order, which was halted after a ruling by federal judge James Robert.
On Sunday, an appeal court denied a formal request by the US Department of Justice to lift the suspension on the ban, which temporarily blocked all refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US.
Mr Trump's administration has until 3pm on Monday (11pm GMT) to file more arguments before a final decision is made.
Hitting out a CNN poll which suggested 53% of Americans were opposed to the measure, Mr Trump tweeted: "Any negative polls are fake news, just like the CNN, ABC, NBC polls in the election.
"Sorry, people want border security and extreme vetting.
He added: "I call my own shots, largely based on an accumulation of data, and everyone knows it. Some FAKE NEWS media, in order to marginalize, lies!"
:: Budweiser's Super Bowl immigration ad sparks boycott calls
Mr Trump's comments came as a group of prominent Democrats, including former secretaries of state John Kerry and Madeleine Albright, called for a federal appeals court to uphold its suspension of the travel ban.
In a brief submitted to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the officials described the executive order as "ill-conceived, poorly implemented and ill-explained".
The group, which also includes ex-national security adviser Susan Rice and former Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano, also argued that the ban feeds Islamic State propaganda that the US is at war with Islam.
They said: "We view the order as one that ultimately undermines the national security of the United States, rather than making us safer.
"Reinstating the executive order would wreak havoc on innocent lives and deeply held American values."
It follows another brief jointly submitted to the court by 97 companies, mostly from the US tech industry.
:: Is President Trump still trying to be a tycoon?
The firms - which include Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Twitter - said Mr Trump's executive order "inflicts significant harm on American business, innovation, and growth".
They added the measure "departs dramatically from the principles that have governed our immigration law for decades".
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