Trump visit to Britain is back on
Prime Minister Theresa May and President Trump during her White House visit DONALD Trump will visit Britain early next year – but he is not expected to enjoy a stay with the Queen.
The US president was invited to the UK by Theresa May when she visited the White House in the New Year during his first week in office.
A State visit was originally intended, but it emerged yesterday that diplomats are now discussing a stripped-down trip.
If it goes ahead as a “working visit” it will not feature a stay at the Palace and is likely to be part of a European tour by Mr Trump rather than be focused solely on the UK.
A State visit – which would include a royal ceremonial welcome and a grand State banquet featuring a speech from the Queen – had been expected to go ahead in the summer, despite breaching a convention that the usually reserved for a second term.
But a wave of protests followed the Prime Minister’s invitation and 1.8 million people signed a petition demanding it be scrapped.
In June it was reported Mr Trump had postponed the planned trip because of concerns about demos.
Downing Street sources later admitted there was no prospect of a visit happening this year and said they were looking at dates in 2018.
Under the new plan Mr Trump is likely to stay with recently appointed US ambassador Woody Johnson rather than at Buckingham Palace.
The presidential visit may be timed to coincide with the opening honour is president’s of a new US embassy in London, and Mr Trump may also visit one of his golf courses in Scotland.
Tory MP Nigel Evans said the trip should be welcomed.
He said: “The US is already one of our closest allies, but also one of our most important trading partners.
“We should use this as a chance for confidence building so we can get a trade deal in place as soon as we leave the EU.”
Despite the reported change of plan Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokesman said it remained the Government’s intention that Mr Trump will have a State visit at some point.
The spokesman said: “We have extended an invitation that has been accepted. In terms of dates, they are still being finalised.”