Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has hit back at claims he was “deeply disrespecting” King Charles by boycotting President Donald Trump's State Banquet next month.
On Wednesday, a row erupted after Sir Ed announced he would decline an invitation to the dinner hosted by the King for the US leader at St George's Hall in Windsor Castle.
Among those reacting to the news was Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel, who slammed the decision as “an act of deep disrespect to His Majesty the King”.
The Liberal Democrats were quick to shoot back, with a party source telling GB News: “Priti Patel has a brass neck to talk about disrespecting the royal family.”
Sir Ed Davey and the Lib Dems have hit back at claims he was 'deeply disrespecting' King Charles
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“The Conservatives partied in Downing Street while the late Queen mourned her husband,” the source continued.
The comment was in reference to the infamous Partygate scandal, in particular one event where a number of guests at a No10 bash were handed fines for breaking lockdown rules on 16 April 2021 - the night before the funeral of Prince Philip.
The Lib Dem source insisted that Sir Ed: “Deeply respects the King and hasn’t taken this decision lightly.”
“He has had to weigh up the most effective way to send Donald Trump a message on Gaza,” they added.
The response was issued after Dame Priti Patel slammed Sir Ed as being not a 'serious leader' for declining the invitation
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“This is about principles, not gestures, so it’s no wonder the Conservatives don’t understand it,” the source told The People's Channel.
The Lib Dems's broadside was launched after Dame Priti accused Sir Ed of not being a “serious leader” in response to his boycott.
“It shows appalling judgement. America is our closest ally and security partner, and the world’s biggest economy,” she slammed.
“Ed Davey has once again proved he is not a serious leader and more interested in pathetic gesture politics,” the Conservative MP for Witham said.
Sir Ed confirmed to GB News he would be boycotting King Charles's lavish State Banquet for President Trump next month
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For his part, Sir Ed has said the decision on how to respond to the State Banquet invitation had taken he and his wife, Emily Gasson, “all summer”.
“There is no honour like an invitation from the King, and not to accept his invitation goes against all of our instincts,” the Lib Dem leader said.
His key objection centred around President Trump’s handling of the war in Gaza.
As such, after much consideration and “prayer,” the couple decided there could only be “one way” to raise the issue to both Mr Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The Lib Dem leader and his wife were present for the State Banquet hosted for French President Macron in July
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“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.
“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.
“We have to speak up. They have to act. Donald Trump must act to end this humanitarian crisis,” Sir Ed concluded.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will travel to the UK for an unprecedented second state visit from September 17 to 19.
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President Trump will travel to the UK for an unprecedented second state visit from September 17 to 19
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As part of the trip, they will be treated to a banquet in the grand surrounds of St George's Hall in Windsor Castle.
Around 150 guests usually attend and as leader of the third largest party in parliament, Sir Ed Davey would be inked an invite.
The Lib Dem leader and his wife were previously present in this capacity for a similar soiree held to honour French President Emmanuel Macron during his State Visit in July.