Theresa May confirms Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK in a Valentine’s Day phone call
The PM confirms Trump's visit and snubs petition signed by 1.8 million against the visit
THERESA May personally confirmed Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK in a Valentine’s Day phone call last night — to the delight of the White House.
Yesterday the PM formally cleared the way for a bells and whistles visit by snubbing a 1.8 million strong petition demanding the she withdraw the gilded invitation.
Last night No10 said Mrs May “looks forward to welcoming Mr Trump later this year”.
A spokesman said the call was part of the pair’s “regular engagement” adding that they chatted about “trade and security” as well as the upcoming trip to the UK.
A senior White House source said their chat had been “great.”
It came 24 hours after the Sun revealed hoaxers fooled Downing Street last week by pretending be White House officials wanting to send the PM flowers.
The Government sent the President’s critics into meltdown yesterday by insisting he would be afforded “full courtesy of a State visit”.
It came in an official response to a petition signed by 1.8 million people urging the Government to scrap the plans.
MPs will debate calls to withdraw the invitation from Mr Trump when the Commons returns on Monday.
A rival 300,000-strong petition in support of the state visit will also be discussed after they both reached the 100,000 signatures threshold to be considered for discussion in Parliament.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said: “HM Government believes the President of the United States should be extended the full courtesy of a State Visit.
“We look forward to welcoming President Trump once dates and arrangements are finalised.”
Donald Trump is due to arrive as soon as June despite the threat of nationwide protests over his toxic travel ban.
Yesterday’s statement came with the White House battling the fallout caused by the shock resignation of Donald Trump’s national security adviser Michael Flynn over allegations of “illegal” contact with Russia.
Lib Dem chief Tim Farron branded it a “poor decision by a desperate Prime Minister”.
He said: “Maintaining communication between the USA and the UK is sensible, but rolling out the red carpet to a man who stands for everything that Britain doesn’t is disgusting.”
But Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon yesterday denied the Government was out of step with public opinion over the decision.
He told BBC Five Live: “I think the Government has a duty obviously to have good relations with the United States, probably our closest ally and our most important economic trading partner.
“It’s very important that we have a good relationship with the United States and it’s equally important in a democracy that you accept the results of a democracy.
“President Trump has been elected now by the US and we work with him.
“We have to work with whom they elect.”