Trump is set to divide the Commons as MPs debate UK state visit
Last night, senior Labour MP Mike Gapes said: “Barack Obama and George W Bush were presidents for more than two years before they were given state visits.
“Theresa May has grovelled to Donald Trump and given him an invitation in just weeks.”
Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan told ITV’s Peston On Sunday: “I love America, I love Americans and I believe the special relationship is a good one and one that’s here to stay.
“But when you’re mates with somebody...when they are wrong, you call them out.
“This ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries and ending the refugee programme is cruel and shameful. In those circumstances we shouldn’t be rolling out the red carpet.”
But Conservative MP Sir Nicholas Soames told the programme: “The Prime Minister was absolutely right to do this. I think this is very important and I think President Trump will make a state visit here. It will be very controversial but it’s very important that he does.”
Sir Nicholas also branded as “undignified” a bid by some MPs to unseat Commons Speaker John Bercow for effectively vetoing “sexist...racist” Mr Trump from addressing members at Westminster Hall.
Meanwhile, at the weekend Mr Trump scared his security detail by getting a supporter on stage with him at a rally in Florida.
The President declared “a star is born” after salesman Gene Huber, 47, voiced his loyalty.
Mr Huber later revealed he had a cardboard image of Mr Trump that he saluted “every single day”.