No red carpet for Donald Trump as diplomats plan 'working visit' to UK next year
2 min read
Donald Trump is set to visit the UK early next year, but will be denied the red carpet treatment or a meeting with the Queen.
The decision to downgrade the trip would be a major humiliation for Theresa May, who went out of her way to offer Mr Trump a full state visit shortly after he entered the White House.
The pared-down arrangements, revealed in today's Evening Standard, reflect the controversy that the initial offer generated, with protests across the UK about his attempts to ban all Muslims from entering the US.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, also unilaterally declared that Mr Trump would not be welcome to address the chamber.
The controversial tycoon has already visited several other European countries, including France where he dined with President Macron and their wives.
The visit, pencilled in for the early months of 2018, may be a brief stop on a wider tour of European countries. Mr Trump may also be in London in time to open on the new multi-billion pound US embassy complex on the south bank of the Thames.
However he will not be afforded an audience with the Queen or stay at Buckingham Palace, with the Standard reporting he is likely to be put up at the residence of ambassador Woody Johnson.
STATE VISIT
However the Foreign Office told the paper there would still be a state visit at some point.
“Our position on the State Visit has not changed – an offer has been extended and President Trump has accepted," a spokesman said.
"Exact dates for President Trump to visit have not yet been arranged.”
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