We should welcome Trump ... he’s our ally, not a dictator

MPs’ anger as visit hangs in balance over protest fears

MPs reacted with fury last night after Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain seemed set to be put on hold.

It emerged on Sunday that President Trump was considering cancelling the trip this autumn over fears he would draw large-scale protests.

Both Downing Street and the White House denied the claims, insisting there had been ‘ no change’ to the plans. However, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman refused three times yesterday to say whether Mr Trump’s visit would take place this year.

He said only: ‘The invite as issued remains the same. We have always said we would set out the precise details when we can.’

Mr Trump’s chief spokesman Sean Spicer downplayed concerns, saying the White House ‘looked forward’ to putting a date in the diary. The President gave no weight to how unpopular he might be in a given country when he decides whether to travel there, he said.

Mr Spicer insisted that there has never been a date set for Mr Trump’s UK visit, adding: ‘We look forward to working out a mutually acceptable date.’

Tory politicians warned that the row reflected poorly on the UK, and he should be welcomed.

They pointed to the hypocrisy of the Labour Party, which has opposed the Trump visit but has in the past welcomed a string of dictators with open arms.

Mr Trump was said to have told Theresa May in a phone call that he does not want to go ahead with the visit until the British public supports him coming. It was originally scheduled as part of a trip to Europe next month but was delayed until the autumn.

Two US officials told The New York Times that Mr Trump was considering scrapping or postponing the visit after a backlash following his criticism of London mayor Sadiq Khan in the wake of the London Bridge attack.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Labour MPs had rejoiced at the prospect of a cancelled visit.

Last night Conservative MPs were outraged. John Baron said: ‘As the elected leader of one of our closest allies, the President’s visit to the UK should proceed, in recognition of our two countries’ uniquely close ties, shared language and history.’

Adam Holloway said: ‘If I had been an American I would not have voted for President Trump – but the American people did, so we should make him welcome here as soon as possible.’

Jacob Rees-Mogg pointed to the 1978 state visit by Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, saying: ‘Labour have been quite happy to welcome all sorts of dictators. But they don’t like Republican leaders.

‘The relationship between Britain and the US is our most important one of all. The point of a state visit would be to cement and improve that relationship.’

However, he added: ‘If there is a risk it would be damaged, it is sensible to postpone it.’

And former US ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer said: ‘He would invite such massive protests, unimaginable protests and it would be an embarrassment.’

Tory MP Crispin Blunt said Mr Trump should instead visit in 2020, to mark the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers.

‘We have uniquely close ties with US’