1,000 sign petition against Trump visit

MORE than 1,000 people from Halton signed an online document calling for US President Donald Trump to not be granted a state visit to the UK.

Earlier this year, a petition was launched following Prime Minister Theresa May offering Mr Trump a visit following his inauguration.

The petition – which has so far attracted more than 1.8m signatures and is due to run until the end of May – claimed that a state visit by President Trump would cause ‘embarrassment’ to Her Majesty The Queen.

At time of writing, almost 1,500 people from Derek Twigg’s Halton constituency – which includes Widnes, Hale Village and much of Runcorn – had backed the petition.

In addition, the petition has attracted more than 2,000 signatures from those living in Graham Evans’ seat of Weaver Vale, which comprises eastern parts of Runcorn, Daresbury and Frodsham.

By contrast a second petition saying that President Trump should be allowed to make a state visit to the UK has attracted more than 500 signatures from Weaver Vale and almost the same amount from Halton.

The document has since been debated in Parliament and the Government has given its backing to granted President Trump a state visit.

A Foreign And Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “HM Government recognises the strong views expressed by the many signatories of this petition, but does not support this petition.

“We look forward to welcoming President Trump once dates and arrangements are finalised.

“During her visit to the United States on January 27, 2017, the Prime Minister, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, invited President Trump for a state visit to the UK later this year. “The invitation was accepted. “This invitation reflects the importance of the relationship between the United States Of America and the United Kingdom.

“At this stage, final dates have not yet been agreed for the state visit.”