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.
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.
-
Starbucks workers are planning their ‘biggest strike’ everThe Explainer The union said 92% of its members voted to strike
-
‘These wouldn’t be playgrounds for billionaires’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
The 5 best nuclear war movies of all timeThe Week Recommends ‘A House of Dynamite’ reanimates a dormant cinematic genre for our new age of atomic insecurity
-
Trump tariffs face stiff scrutiny at Supreme CourtSpeed Read Even some of the Court’s conservative justices appeared skeptical
-
The longest US government shutdown in historyThe Explainer Federal employees and low-income households have been particularly affected by ‘partisan standoffs’ in Washington
-
Democrats seek 2026 inspiration from special election routsIN THE SPOTLIGHT High-profile wins are helping a party demoralized by Trump’s reelection regain momentum
-
‘Not all news is bad’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
A most profitable presidencyfeature Donald Trump has added $3 billion to his wealth since returning to the White House. How?
-
Trump to partly fund SNAP as shutdown talks progressSpeed Read The administration has said it will cover about 50% of benefits
-
Trump’s White House ballroom: a threat to the republic?Talking Point Trump be far from the first US president to leave his mark on the Executive Mansion, but to critics his remodel is yet more overreach
-
‘Not every social scourge is an act of war’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
