UK says Trump state visit will go ahead

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

The British government on Tuesday wrote to the more than 1.85 million people who signed a parliamentary petition against a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying it believed the American leader should “be extended the full courtesy” of an official reception.

In an email response to the thousands who signed the online petition to parliament against the state visit, the government said: “We look forward to welcoming President Trump once dates and arrangements are finalized.”

The invitation by Prime Minister Theresa May was extended to Trump during her visit to the U.S. on Jan. 27, sparking criticism in the U.K. due to the new president’s travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries.

“HM Government recognizes the strong views expressed by the many signatories of this petition, but does not support this petition,” the British administration added.

“This invitation reflects the importance of the relationship between the United States of America and the United Kingdom. At this stage, final dates have not yet been agreed for the State Visit,” the statement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office also added.

The petition did not call for Trump to be barred from the U.K. but did say any official state visit should be axed “because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty, the Queen”.

It also claimed Trump’s “well documented misogyny and vulgarity” disqualified him from meeting the Queen or other British royals.

The petition will also be debated in parliament on Feb. 20.