{UAH} 'Stop Trump state visit' petition rejected

'Stop Trump state visit' petition rejected

• 4 minutes ago
• From the section UK Politics
     
•        

Image copyright Reuters

The UK government has rejected a petition calling for Donald Trump's state visit invitation to be withdrawn.

It said it recognised the "strong views" expressed but looked forward to welcoming the US president once details have been arranged.

More than 1.8 million people signed the petition, which said a state visit would cause the Queen "embarrassment".

A counter petition calling for the visit to go ahead attracted more than 309,000 signatures.

Both petitions will be debated by the House of Commons on 20 February.

• Pro-Trump petition founder 'proud'
• Trump state visit 'very difficult' for the Queen
• What is a state visit?

The government responds to all petitions on its website if they are signed by more than 10,000 people, and a similar response has been issued in support of the one calling for the state visit to go ahead.

Published on the petitions website, they say the government believes Mr Trump "should be extended the full courtesy of a state visit", adding: "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 invitation was issued during Prime Minister Theresa May's talks in Washington with the US president last month.

Leeds solicitor Graham Guest started the online petition that said Mr Trump should be allowed into the UK but not to make a state visit.

It came amid protests at the president's executive order preventing people from seven mainly-Muslim countries from entering the US.

Mrs May, who criticised the immigration crackdown, had already rejected calls for the state visit to be cancelled.

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com