The UK government defended its decision to offer US President Donald Trump a state visit and an audience with the Queen this year on Monday, defying protests outside Parliament and dissent from lawmakers.
A protester stands with a “No state visit” placard in front of the Elizabeth Tower, near the Houses of Parliament in London on February 20, 2017. /CFP Photo
UK Prime Minister Theresa May's government wants to reaffirm the country's "special relationship" with the US, and secure a trade deal as Britain prepares to leave the EU.
To discuss the possibility of cancelling the US president's state visit, British lawmakers held a debate on Monday.
"Only two presidents of the United States have been granted a state visit since 1952. It's extraordinary that's the situation, but here we have a position where seven days into his presidency, he is invited to have the full panoply of a state visit. Extraordinary, completely unprecedented," said Paul Flynn, a Labor Member of Parliament.
Conservative Member of Parliament Mark Pritchard stated, "The relationship, the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States of America goes beyond any individual that might happen to occupy the White House at any particular time."
A woman stands with a "Ban trump" placard in front of the Elizabeth Tower, near the Houses of Parliament in London on February 20, 2017. /CFP Photo
However, the debate was merely a chance for critics in parliament to voice their opinions, who have no power to force the government to withdraw its invitation. May has said she would not consider cancelling the visit.
British Junior Foreign Minister Alan Duncan described Trump’s state visits as the UK’s "most important diplomatic tool", saying Trump's trip would go ahead as planned.
As Parliament debated the petition on Monday, around 7,000 protesters gathered outside with placards bearing slogans such as "Dump Trump, Fight Bigotry".
A protest is held outside the Houses of Parliament in London on February 20. /CFP Photo
Trump’s possible visit has attracted 1.8 million people in Britain to sign a petition saying Trump should be let into Britain, but not for a state visit, since a state visit would be an "embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen".
(With inputs from Reuters)
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