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CAN THE DON COME?

MPs to debate whether President Donald Trump should be granted a state visit after petition gets 1.6 million signatures

Theresa May yesterday said the invitation "still stands" despite Mr Trump's travel ban from seven mainly Muslim countries

MPS will next month debate whether President Donald Trump should be able to come to the UK on an official state visit after his controversial travel ban.

The Petitions Committee said this afternoon that politicians will discuss the issue on February 20 after 1.6 million people signed a petition against the event to avoid embarrassing the Queen.

 MPs will discuss whether Donald Trump should be allowed a state visit on February 20
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MPs will discuss whether Donald Trump should be allowed a state visit on February 20Credit: Reuters

Theresa May said last night that her invitation to the new President for an official state visit "still stands". Since then, over 100,000 have signed a counter-petition, urging for him to be allowed to come.

But many of her MPs are opposed to rolling out the red carpet for the new US leader after his controversial ban of people from seven countries from coming to the UK.

Thousands took to the streets in the UK last night to protest against Mr Trump's new policy - and the Prime Minister's response to it.

 Theresa May is under pressure to reveal what she knew about the ban before it was made public
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Theresa May is under pressure to reveal what she knew about the ban before it was made publicCredit: PA:Press Association

But last night showed that a third of Brits would back a similar style ban in the UK.

49 per cent said they would oppose a policy which prevented people travelling from Muslim-majority countries to the UK, and seven per cent said they didn't know.

The poll also asked whether Brits would support cancelling Mr Trump's proposed state visit - almost half said the Prime Minister should, and 38 per cent said she shouldn't.

All petitions which reach over 100,000 signatures have the potential to be scheduled for a debate by MPs - and both the petition in favour and against Mr Trump's visit will be discussed.

 

Next month's debate won't be the first time MPs have discussed Mr Trump in Parliament.

This time last year MPs debated banning the then-Presidential candidate from the UK altogether after his comments on Muslims.

Mr Trump was called a "wazzock", a "buffoon" and a "fool" in the Westminster Hall debate - but politicians were divided over whether the billionaire should be banned from entering the country.

Conservative MP Victoria Atkins said his plan to close the US borders was “bonkers”.

And Scottish MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh said his policies would be "condemning a whole religion for the actions of a terrorist death cult".

 Ed Miliband held an emergency debate on Donald Trump's policy last night in Parliament
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Ed Miliband held an emergency debate on Donald Trump's policy last night in ParliamentCredit: PA:Press Association
 Boris Johnson said the policy was "divisive and wrong" but that all British nationals could continue to travel to the US
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Boris Johnson said the policy was "divisive and wrong" but that all British nationals could continue to travel to the USCredit: Getty Images

Yesterday MPs took to the Commons to voice their opinions on President Trumps's travel policy.

Veteran MP Dennis Skinner compared Mr Trump to Hitler, and labelled him a "fascist", while Mike Gapes called the PM "Theresa the appeaser".

Former Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told Mr Johnson: "This order was signed on Holocaust Memorial Day... for the sake of history have the guts to speak out!"

And Tory MP Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Winston Churchill, said: "Whatever others may do... refugees arriving in this country will be dealt with patience... and respect."

Simon Burns MP quoted former President Kennedy and warned the Foreign Secretary: "Those who ride a tiger end up inside it."

 Protesters in the US and UK last night stood firm against Donald Trump
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Protesters in the US and UK last night stood firm against Donald TrumpCredit: Splash News
 35 UK cities and towns held rallies against the President, and the PM's response to his policy
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35 UK cities and towns held rallies against the President, and the PM's response to his policyCredit: Splash News
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