It’s nothing to do with Trump

There is no reason for the Prime Minister to take guidance on Brexit from the appalling US president

Inevitably, the visit by American President Donald Trump to the United Kingdom over the weekend did not pass without controversy.

Whether he was denouncing accurate reporting of his remarks during an interview with the Sun newspaper as “fake news” or – bizarrely – advising Prime Minister Theresa May to sue the European Union (in which court and on what grounds are not clear), Trump’s gift for appalling conduct didn’t fail him.

Only the hardest-hearted could have watched the Prime Minister’s joint press conference with the President and not felt at least some sympathy for her predicament.

The American President, in common with other blood and soil nationalists, is keen to see the UK break every tie with the EU in the hardest possible Brexit. If this does not happen, he has said, then the chances of a good trade deal between the UK and the US will be damaged.

We would, with all the respect we can muster, point out that the negotiation between the UK and the EU is not a matter over which Mr Trump should expect to have the slightest influence. And, so, it has been troubling in recent days to read remarks by Tory politicians – including former cabinet minister Priti Patel – that seem to suggest Mrs May should take guidance from the US president.

Those who cite Mr Trump in their arguments for a hard Brexit would do well to stop and think about what they are doing.

Mrs May is in a difficult position when it comes to Brexit. A Remainer during the referendum campaign, she is charged with delivering a Brexit which she never supported. The Scotsman’s belief that departure from the EU will damage both the UK’S economy and its influence on the world remains resolute but we accept that a democratic vote took place and that – in the absence of a second referendum producing a different result – Brexit will take place.

This being so, our preference is for a deal that will minimise the damage the referendum result will cause.

Some Brexiteers complain loudly that the Prime Minister’s plan – which would maintain some links with the EU – is not what the electorate voted for.

This may be so, but nor did the electorate vote to wreak havoc on the economy or for the UK to become subservient to the appalling Mr Trump.