Its tuesday 7 february. Welcome to bbc newsroom live. The Commons Speaker, john bercow, is facing mounting criticism for suggesting hell prevent President Trump addressing parliament during his state visit later this year. Mr bercow whos one of three parliamentary officials who can approve such an event said opposition to sexism and racism, and support for equality, were hugely important. But critics say he should have stuck to the tradition of neutrality with one senior conservative describing his intervention as utterly outrageous. Heres our political correspondent, eleanor garnier. Its an honour thats bestowed on popes and president s. A speech to both Houses Of Parliament in the splendour of Westminster Hall was part of the itinerary when these dignitaries visited britain. But the same invite may not be coming mr trumps way. In an astonishing intervention, the Commons Speaker said recent decisions by the president made him uneasy about issuing an invitation. I feel very strongly th
By Hamish MacPherson
David II died with no heir, leaving Robert II, and then Robert III (shown right) to take the throne WE are shortly approaching the 650th anniversary of the start of the Royal House of Stewart, which ruled Scotland for 343 years – with the last 111 of those years reigning as the Stuart monarchs of England, too. Robert Stewart, the seventh hereditary High Steward of Scotland, became the second King of Scots of that name on February 22, 1371, following the sudden death of his uncle, David II, son of Robert the Bruce. He was already 55 and had four legitimate sons, unlike David II who had no heir. The sons of Robert were John, Earl of Carrick, the future King Robert III; Walter, Lord of Fife; Robert, later Duke of Albany; and Alexander, Earl of Buchan. As I explained a fortnight ago, all four had been illegitimate in the eyes of the church, which did not recognise the marriage of their father and El