Donald Trump will visit the UK in June, confirms Sir Bernard Hogan Howe as police expect ‘lots of protests’ against controversial President
London's police chief said that he expects to put on "a few thousand officers" for the visit - which will include an audience with the Queen
DONALD Trump’s state visit will involve thousands of police and cost millions, Sir Bernard Hogan Howe reveals.
He also said that police expect "lots of protests" around the visit - which will include an audience with the Queen.
Sir Bernard Hogan Howe confirmed the plans to host Mr Trump in June this year, after Mrs May extended the invitation on her recent visit to the US.
"I think President Trump's coming around June... I think that's the plan," the London Police Chief told LBC today.
Days after Mrs May's trip, news of the new President's controversial 'Muslim travel ban' caused thousands to take to the streets of the UK to express their unhappiness about the visit - and his policies.
And he said that he expected more demonstrations on the visit itself - which could cost police millions of pounds.
"At the moment, of course, people are concerned that there might be lots of protests," he added.
"There have been protests already. Around 10 days ago, around 20,000 people turned up at Whitehall. All peaceful.
"As the days pass, we'll make assessments of what's going to happen."
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And he said that thousands of extra officers would be put on - but he couldn't guarantee that there would be no trouble.
He added: "We can't definitely say there will be huge amounts of problems. We have got some concerns already.
"No doubt we'll put a lot of officers out there and keep people safe and make sure everything goes well. If there is a few thousand officers, it's likely to be quite a bit of money."
He said the visit could cost "the odd million" for Scotland Yard, but he wouldn't put a precise figure on it.
MPs will hold a debate on the issue later this month after more than 1.7 million signed a petition against the visit.
John Bercow caused outrage when he attacked the "sexist" President and that he would be "strongly opposed" to him addressing MPs and Lords in Parliament.
Manoeuvres are in place to try and get the Tory out of the job – some MPs say he has undermined the impartial office of Speaker.
Around 170 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion expressing their wishes for him to stay away from addressing Parliament.
But James Duddridge MP was hoping to ask a question to Theresa May yesterday, urging her to support his calls for another vote of no confidence.
The question – which would have caused deep embarrassment for the Speaker – would have asked Mrs May to allow MPs a free vote.
Mr Duddridge, the Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East, was hoping to ask Mrs May:
"There is a good tradition of the Government not interfering in House matters.
"Will my right honourable friend therefore give me the assurance that the Government will not interfere and will give minsters a free vote in any vote of no confidence in the Speaker?"
Yesterday he tweeted that around 100 MPs were in support of his comments criticising Mr Bercow, but that many were holding back out of "respect for the role". One MP said that he could be "gone this week".