Theresa May phones Donald Trump to thank him for standing with Britain over spy poisoning – but state visit still off the agenda
The two leaders had a 'friendly' ten-minute phone call today and discussed the Salisbury spy scandal
THERESA MAY today called Donald Trump to thank him for standing shoulder to shoulder with Britain over the Russian nerve agent attack on Salisbury.
The two leaders had a warm phone chat - but they didn’t manage to set a date for the US President’s long-awaited state visit to Britain.
The PM spoke to Mr Trump for 10 minutes in a conversation described as “friendly” by her aides.
Mrs May’s spokesman said this afternoon: “The Prime Minister today spoke with President Trump to welcome the US decision to expel 60 Russian diplomats in response to the use of a nerve agent in Salisbury.
“The PM said the US had delivered a very strong response and welcomed the breadth of international action in response to Russia's reckless and brazen behaviour, with 26 countries now putting expulsions in place."
She also thanked the President for his decision to exempt Europe from huge tariffs on steel imports into the US.
But they didn’t talk about when Mr Trump will visit Britain on a state trip - after he repeatedly shelved plans for a UK tour.
The President is said to be afraid of protests from angry Brits, but Downing Street is still adamant he will come to the country eventually.
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Mr Trump was criticised last week when he phoned Vladimir Putin to congratulate him on winning re-election as Russia’s president and failed to mention the attempted hit on ex-spy Sergei Skripal.
But on Monday, he helped lead the international response to Russia’s crimes, announcing that 60 undercover spies would be thrown out of the US.
More than 100 so-called diplomats from Russia have been expelled by Britain’s allies as a show of solidarity in the wake of the novichok attack in Salisbury earlier this month.
PM to spend Easter on Wales walking holiday
THERESA MAY is going walking in Wales this Easter - a year on from her disastrous decision to call a snap election during a similar getaway.
Last year, the PM returned from her walking holiday and immediately announced that she would hold a general election.
The snap poll was supposed to increase her majority and crush Jeremy Corbyn - but instead, Mrs May lost her majority altogether.
Today the PM’s spokesman confirmed she will return to Wales over the Easter weekend.
Asked if she will be walking during the trip, the spokesman replied: “There will be an element of walking.”
Mrs May will return to her Maidenhead constituency in the middle of next week.