May ‘looks forward’ to Trump trip despite mass petition

THERESA MAY has told Donald Trump she “looks forward” to his state visit later this year as she formally rejected a petition signed by almost two million people calling for it to be scrapped.

The Prime Minister discussed a “range of issues” during a phone call yesterday with President Trump, including security and the prospect of a post-Brexit trade deal with the US.

The Government formally rejected a petition calling for the state visit to be cancelled because it would “embarrass” the Queen. Its response recognised the petitioners’ “strong views”, but said President Trump should be extended the “full courtesy of a state visit”. Presi- dent Trump’s visit, expected this summer, has already caused significant controversy after Commons Speaker John Bercow said he should be barred from addressing Parliament, accusing him of “sexism” and “racism”.

Mr Bercow is now facing pressure to stand down and a motion of no confidence from MPs for breaching his role’s traditional impartiality and the Commons will debate the state visit in Parliament next week.

James Duddridge, the Tory MP who tabled the “no confidence motion”, said: “Donald Trump has some odious views which I disagree with, but he is the President of the US. It is not for the Speaker to take a view on this subject, it is for Parliament. This is unacceptable and makes his position untenable.” Yesterday, a Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump this afternoon, as part of their regular engagement.”

He said they discussed issues including trade, security and the President’s visit and the PM told him “she looks forward to welcoming him”.