Trump says protests are ‘fine’ during visit to ‘ hotspot’ Britain

SUPPORT FOR LEAVING EU? Says will not interfere in the internal affairs of UK but ‘Brexit is Brexit’

LONDON: Insisting that Britons “like me a lot”, President Donald Trump arrived in London on Thursday for a four-day visit that seeks to reiterate the “special relationship” between the US and UK.

Most of Trump’s engagements are away from London, where thousands of people are taking to the streets to protest against his policies. A balloon depicting a baby Trump was allowed to fly over London by mayor Sadiq Khan. The six-metre balloon has also received permission to fly over Scotland, when Trump travels there for a private stay over the weekend.

Trump’s visit is not a state visit, but has been described as “official”.

Trump’s comments on Brexit and the UK made news before his arrival. He described the UK as a “hotspot” and a country in turmoil, referring to the recent resignations of cabinet ministers David Davis and Boris Johnson. However, he insisted he is “fine” with the protests planned.

Indirectly criticising May’s recent pro-eu Chequers plan on Brexit in Brussels, Trump, who favours Brexit, said he would not interfere in the internal affairs of the UK, but said: “I would say Brexit is Brexit.”

“The people voted to break it up so I imagine that is what they would do, but maybe they’re taking a different route. I’m not sure that’s what they voted for,” adding that he had been reading up closely on Brexit in recent days.