CEREDIGION AM Elin Jones has come under fire over her comments that President Donald Trump would not be welcome in the Senedd on his upcoming state visit to the UK.

The Assembly’s presiding officer took to Twitter after John Bercow, the Speaker of the Commons, declared his opposition to Mr Trump giving a speech in Westminster.

The Plaid Cymru AM said: “Well done speaker Bercow. And before anyone asks, there’d be no room at this inn either.”

Her remark prompted a sharp response from UKIP Assembly group leader Neil Hamilton – who wants Mr Trump to visit Wales – who wrote to Ms Jones expressing his “deep concern”.

The Mid and West Wales AM added: “He is now the elected President of the United States of America, and is actively seeking a trade deal with the UK. This is good news for Britain and good news for Wales.

“The USA is Wales’ most important global ally and trading partner, with 22 per cent of Welsh exports going to the United States.

“It would be highly irresponsible to put Welsh jobs at risk by banning President Trump from visiting the Senedd."

Responding on Twitter to Mr Hamilton’s attack, Ms Jones said that as llywydd, she served the Assembly as an institution, not of any part or majority within it.

“Safeguarding the rights and reputation of the Assembly as a whole is at the core of everything I do and the judgements I make,” she added.

“Whilst my duty of impartiality limits my ability to speak openly about the majority of political matters, it is far less constraining in matters that directly affect the Assembly’s position as the primary democratic body in Wales.

“Here it is right that the ‘llywydd’, whoever they might be, is a vocal and leading participant.

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