Donald Trump puts state visit to UK 'on hold'
US President reportedly tells Theresa May he will not come if there are likely to be protests
Donald Trump's state visit to the UK has reportedly been "put on hold" after he called Theresa May to say he does not want to come if there are likely to be large-scale protests.
According to a Downing Street adviser said to be in the room at the time of the call, the conversation took place several weeks ago and "surprised May", says The Guardian.
Downing Street refused to comment on "speculation about the contents of private phone conversations", but insisted there has been no change to the plans and the Queen's invitation still stands.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said Trump was "clearly terrified of the British public".
He added: "He knows that the British people find his politics appalling and that they won't be scared to make their views known.
"May should be embarrassed that she was so quick to offer Trump a state visit. Now neither of them want to be seen with the other."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for the cancellation of the visit altogether, joining MPs from across the political spectrum in citing disagreements over the Paris climate accord and the US President's criticism of London Mayor Sadiq Khan following the London Bridge terror attacks.
May, the first foreign leader to visit Trump in the White House, issued the invitation seven days after the President's inauguration in January. Many senior diplomats, including Lord Ricketts, a former national security adviser, said the invitation was premature but impossible to rescind once made.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - October 5, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - gathering funds, juggling tariffs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 category 5 cartoons about hurricane Helene
Artists take on precarious conditions, planning ahead, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Wolfs: 'comedy thriller' stumbles despite George Clooney and Brad Pitt
While the crime caper might 'pleasingly pass a Saturday night' its star-studded duo cannot ultimately salvage it
By The Week UK Published
-
Why are meteorologists worried Trump could ruin their forecasts?
Today's Big Question How a conservative push to dismantle a little-known government agency could lead to big headaches for anyone hoping to get a handle on their local weather
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Jack Smith filing details Jan. 6 case against Trump
Speed Read The special counsel's newly unsealed brief argues Trump is not immune from prosecution and gives new details on his efforts to overturn the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How Trump's 'dark' rhetoric could motivate undecided voters
Talking Points 'This is a dark — this a dark speech,' Trump said in Wisconsin
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'His death creates an opportunity for rough justice'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Trump politicizes Helene response in Georgia visit
Speed Read The former president made false claims about President Joe Biden's management of the storm's aftermath
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
All the presidential assassination attempts
In Depth American history is full of efforts to kill sitting and former presidents
By David Faris Published
-
Hyperbole and hatred: can heated rhetoric kill?
Talking Point Hypocrisy and double standards are certainly rife, but the link between heated political language and real-world violence is unclear
By The Week UK Published