Fresh doubt over Donald Trump state visit after no mention in Queen's Speech
2 min read
Donald Trump’s controversial state visit to the UK has been cast into fresh doubt after no mention was made of it in the Queen’s Speech.
A separate visit by the king and queen of Spain next month was noted in the address, raising questions about why the US president’s trip was not mentioned.
Downing Street insisted it was not unusual for some state visits not to be mentioned in the Queen's Speech, and insisted "nothing has changed" since President Trump accepted the invitation in January.
However, a Number 10 spokesman was unable to say whether or not the trip will still take place this year, as was originally planned.
The confusion follows reports the tycoon asked for the visit to be delayed if his presence in Britain could spark mass protests.
Mrs May passed on the Queen's invitation to Mr Trump at the White House in January when she became the first world leader to meet the president after his inauguration.
But the announcement sparked a fierce backlash from the public and the opposition political parties – which was fuelled by Mr Trump’s attempts to introduce a controversial travel ban on visitors from Muslim-majority countries.
In the Queen’s Speech today, Her Majesty said: “Prince Philip and I look forward to welcoming their Majesties King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain on a state visit in July.”
Earlier this month a report surfaced in the Guardian saying Mr Trump had asked to put the visit on ice in the face of public hostility.
It came amid furore over his criticism of London mayor Sadiq Khan in the wake of the London Bridge terror attack.
An official government spokesperson refused to deny the report, saying: “We aren’t going to comment on speculation about the contents of private phone conversations.
“The Queen extended an invitation to President Trump to visit the UK and there is no change to those plans.”
Meanwhile, the White House said: “The president has tremendous respect for Prime Minister May. That subject never came up on the call.”
But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn welcomed the apparent decision to postpone the visit.
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