Trump will ‘detect PM’s desperation’

DONALD Trump will be able to detect Theresa May’s desperation for a US-UK trade deal by the hasty offer of a state visit, according to MPs.

Labour’s Paul Flynn also compared the US president’s behaviour to a “petulant child” as he encouraged ministers to avoid making the mistakes of the past when “very unsavoury characters” have received invitations for state visits.

The Newport West MP led a parliamentary debate on two petitions about the Prime Minister’s decision to extend an invitation to Mr Trump.

One petition, with more than 1.85 millions signatures, calls for the visit to be stripped of the trappings of a state occasion in order to avoid causing “embarrassment” to the Queen.

The other, supported by around 312,000 signatories, insists the state visit goes ahead.

The Government, in its official response to the petitions, stressed that ministers believed “the President of the United States should be extended the full courtesy of a state visit”.

Speaking in Westminster Hall, SNP MP Alex Salmond noted: “The question of the seven-day invitation - would you interpret desperation as the reason? And if you’re able to see desperation for a trade deal, do you think that President Trump might be able to detect it as well?”

Mr Flynn replied: “The word comes to mind when we think of the circumstances of our beleaguered Prime Minister.”