‘Trump state visit to Britain will happen’

DONALD Trump’s state visit to Britain will go ahead despite a 1.8 million-strong petition, more noisy protests attended by thousands and MPs warning against it, the Government has said.

Thousands of protesters gathered in Parliament Square yesterday and MPs in Westminster Hall called on ministers to heed the “Greek chorus of disapproval” and avoid “fawning subservience” to the US president.

In the time-limited debate, about a dozen backbench MPs spoke in favour of the petition to downgrade Mr Trump’s visit but Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan insisted the visit “should happen, the visit will happen”.

He called on the UK to “extend a polite and generous welcome” to Mr Trump during his state visit, where he will be hosted by the Queen and afforded the pomp and ceremony attached.

Sir Alan said the “rare and prestigious” occasions are Britain’s “most important diplomatic tool”, adding: “They enable us to strengthen and influence those international relationships that are of the greatest strategic importance to this country, and more widely, other parts of the world.”

But his calls for a cordial state visit are unlikely to be observed by those at the rally outside Parliament, where placards read “Special Relationship: Just say no”, and “No to racism; no to Trump”. QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. The Sopranos. 2. Mont Blanc. 3. Portuguese. 4. Two. 5. David Essex. 6. Tailoring. Link: TAX.