SIMON Hoare has once again taken aim at US President Donald – branding him the “former leader of the free world” during Prime Minister’s Questions.

The North Dorset Conservative also called on Sir Keir Starmer to ‘call out’ the president’s “childish nonsense” over making Canada the US’ 51st state.

In recent months, President Trump has caused controversy around the globe through claims he sees the country as a state, and its prime minister Justin Trudeau as a “governor”.

He told Fox News: “I think Canada would be much better off being the 51st state because we lose $200 billion a year with Canada. And I’m not going to let that happen.”

Canada has roundly rejected the suggestion, with Mr Trudeau saying there wasn’t “a snowball’s chance in hell” of it happening.

READ MORE: Dorset MP says world “cannot appease or cave” to Trump and Putin over Ukraine

Mr Hoare raised the issue in the Commons ahead of the Prime Minister heading to the US this week to meet President Trump.

He said: “I hope the PM knows that when he does travel to Washington to meet the former leader of the free world, he does so with the hopes and prayers of this House and the country.

“Probably no more serious a meeting could be taking place.

“While Ukraine will clearly dominate, will the Prime Minister undertake to raise with President Trump that Canada is a valued respected and much-loved member of both NATO and our Commonwealth and that this childish nonsense of a 51st state should be called out by the Prime Minister for what it is?”

In response, the Prime Minister said the “UK and Canada are close allies and have been for a very long time”, work closely together, and that he would “work to strengthen that relationship”.

Mr Hoare’s question came after he previously criticised the US President in remarks on social media, branding Trump’s stance on Ukraine “dangerous”, while urging European powers to “wean ourselves off US defence dollars”.