Trump’s ‘secret golf trip to UK’

HE may have passed over a state visit due to security concerns. But Donald Trump is planning a flying visit to the UK – to check over one of his golf courses.

Officials believe the US president may drop in on one of his courses in Scotland, either Menie in Aberdeenshire or newly-reopened Turnberry, Ayrshire.

Mr Trump is in Poland on Thursday before attending the G 0 leaders’ summit in Hamburg in Germany on Friday and Saturday. He will also attend the Bastille Day celebrations in France on July 14 and the Government is on alert for a potential visit to the UK. According to the Sunday Times, Mr Trump will only confirm his plans to the Government 4 hours in advance, and he may also drop in on Downing Street.

Once confirmed, it is believed that officials and ministers would then have to arrange a potential meeting with Theresa May or other senior ministers.

Owen Jones, co-founder of Stop Trump Coalition, said: ‘Donald Trump is so cowardly he thinks he can sneak into the country to avoid protests. We have to prove him wrong. We’re asking Britain to be on standby to take to the streets with just hours notice if necessary.’

The Government has insisted a separate and contentious state visit to Britain will go ahead despite it not being listed in the Queen’s Speech.

The address to Parliament usually mentions planned state visits but last month’s only referred to welcoming King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain in July, despite the PM inviting Mr Trump just a week after his inauguration.