Theresa May rejects petition against state visit of US President Donald Trump

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An online petition against the state visit of US President Donald Trump to the United Kingdom has been rejected by the latter’s Prime Minister Theresa May.

The online petition has been endorsed by nearly 2 million people, but according to an official statement, the UK government “does not support” the view that is shared by nearly 2 million people including hundreds of thousands of Britons.

The rejection comes after the petition “Prevent Donald Trump from making State Visit to the United Kingdom” attracted 1.8 million signatures, ensuring a debate in the parliament on the matter on February 20. Any petition crossing a million signatures has to be considered for a debate in the House of Commons, but the British government has the right to take a stand on the issue in the lead up to that debate.

The petition - to be debated later this month - called for Trump to be allowed to visit the UK but not be granted an official state visit “because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen”.

May’s official response said the government believed Trump should be extended the “full courtesy of a state visit”.

“We look forward to welcoming President Trump once dates and arrangements are finalised. [Her Majesty’s] government recognises the strong views expressed by the many signatories of this petition, but does not support this petition,” it read.

During her visit to the US on January 27, May invited Trump for a state visit later this year. The invitation was accepted.

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