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UK SECURITY AT RISK

MPs opposing Donald Trump’s UK state visit are threatening our national security, senior minister warns

A SENIOR minister last night warned MPs that they threatened national security by trying to block Donald Trump’s state visit.

Foreign Office deputy Sir Alan Duncan said the visit would be a “special moment for the special relationship” that was “bigger than personalities” as it concerned the “security of our nations.”

Foreign Office Deputy Sir Alan Duncan claimed MPs opposing Trump's state visit to the UK are threatening Britain's national security
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Foreign Office Deputy Sir Alan Duncan claimed MPs opposing Trump's state visit to the UK are threatening Britain's national securityCredit: Getty Images

The warning came as MPs debated a petition signed by 1.8 million Brits demanding the President’s invitation be withdrawn.

MPs lined up to brand Mr Trump a racist and a sexist in a testy three hour session in Westminster Hall.
But Sir Alan hit back that “in an uncertain and increasingly dangerous world, the ability to work closely with key countries is of critical importance.”
Parliament was debating Donald Trump's state visit to the UK after 1.8 million Brits signed a petition against it following Theresa May's invitation
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Parliament was debating Donald Trump's state visit to the UK after 1.8 million Brits signed a petition against it following Theresa May's invitationCredit: PA:Press Association

He added that our relationship with America was a “central stabilising pillar for world security.”

And he went on: “The US and the UK have worked together side by side to bring peace and security during times of danger and uncertainty.

“Especially with the world as it is today, that is why a state visit matters so much: put simply, diplomacy matters.”

As the Commons debated, thousands gathered in Parliament square to protest the visit
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As the Commons debated, thousands gathered in Parliament square to protest the visitCredit: Getty Images

The Minister concluded that “the visit should happen, the visit will happen and when it does I trust the United Kingdom will extend a polite and generous welcome to President Donald Trump.”

But thousands of protesters had gathered in Parliament Square across the road and chanted anti-Trump slogans throughout the session.

SNP MP Alex Salmond was reprimanded by the chair after claiming he was 'having difficulty hearing' because of the protests
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SNP MP Alex Salmond was reprimanded by the chair after claiming he was 'having difficulty hearing' because of the protestsCredit: Parliament live

Interrupting proceedings, the SNP’s Alex Salmond claimed that he was “having difficulty hearing” because of the protests.

But an angry Sir Alan Duncan hit back saying “no you’re not” before Mr Salmond was reprimanded by the chair.

While dozens of Labour and Scottish Nationalists queued up to slam the US President, one Tory grandee leapt his defence.

MPs branded Donald Trump racist and sexist
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MPs branded Donald Trump racist and sexistCredit: Reuters

Responding to concerns about Mr Trump’s “grab them by the p-----” gaffe, Sir Edward Leigh claimed: “Which one of us has not made some ridiculous sexual comment?”

He added: “Let he without sin cast the first stone. He’s apologised! That’s not really a reason to withdraw.”

But his comment sparked uproar.

Labour MP Naz Shah told the Commons how she had felt personally attacked by Trump's controversial 'Muslim Ban'
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Labour MP Naz Shah told the Commons how she had felt personally attacked by Trump's controversial 'Muslim Ban'Credit: PA:Press Association

Muslim Labour MP Naz Shah said she felt personally attacked by Mr Trump’s policies.

She told MPs: “I am not an enemy to Western democracy, I am part of Western democracy.

“I fought my election really hard, I fought against all those things - the bigotry, the sexism, the patriarchy - to earn my place in this House.”

She added: “By allowing Donald Trump a state visit and bringing out the crockery, the china, the red carpet, what we are doing is endorsing all those views, all those things that I fought hard against, and saying ‘you know what, it’s OK’.”

MPs also discuss the smaller petition supporting the visit that gained more than 300,000 names.

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