Turning our back on Trump ‘would be a disaster for the UK and Nato’
So rare... PM takes a prime position
SNUBBING Donald Trump by withdrawing an invitation for a state visit could be “catastrophic” for Britain’s relations with the US, a senior Tory MP warned last night.
Former minister Sir Edward Leigh insisted, during a packed session held in a debating chamber off Westminster Hall, that showing “respect and honour” to the new US President was vital for the UK’s national interest. Other MPs raised concerns that cancelling the offer could be deeply embarrassing for the Queen.
MPs discussed two petitions, one backed by 1.5million people calling for the visit to be scrapped and the other supported by more than 300,000 favouring the invitation. Police stepped up security around the Commons ahead of the debate and metal barriers were installed around the building, as scores of protesters joined a noisy demonstration.
During heated exchanges, Sir Edward said revoking Theresa May’s invitation “would be catastrophic to our relationship with our closest ally”, adding: “It is in our national interest to respect and honour our closest and greatest ally.”
Tory MP James Cartlidge warned that such a snub could damage American support for the Nato alliance: “There is one man who will win and that is Vladimir Putin. There will be smiles all round the Kremlin if we follow this petition.”
But Labour’s David Lammy said Britain is “so desperate for a trade deal” it is abandoning “all its principles” by inviting President Trump.