Thousands of protesters gather in Westminster as MPs clash over President Donald Trump's visit to the UK

Chloe Chaplain20 February 2017
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Thousands of protesters gathered outside Westminster Hall as MPs clashed during a debate over Theresa May's decision to invite Donald Trump on a state visit to the UK.

The discussion was held in response to petitions signed by millions of Britons calling for the President’s visit to be blocked.

Anti-Trump chants were heard from Parliament Square before the debate, and appeared to die down as Labour MP Paul Flynn opened proceedings.

The petition, signed by more than 1.85 million people, called for the visit to be stripped of the trappings of a state occasion in order to avoid causing "embarrassment" to the Queen.

State visit: A debate in the House of Commons was held in response to the petition
PA

MPs were also considering an alternative petition, backed by almost 312,000 signatories, demanding the state visit goes ahead.

Opening the discussion, Mr Flynn highlighted the fact that Mr Trump is only the third US president to be given the honour of a state visit and said he was invited too soon in his already highly controversial presidency.

Barack Obama only received an invitation after 758 days, while it took 978 days before his predecessor, George W Bush, was offered a state visit, compared with seven days for Mr Trump.

Mr Flynn repeated comments made by former Foreign Office permanent secretary Lord Ricketts, who said the Queen has now been put in a "very difficult position".

The Labour veteran added: "I believe for that reason alone that we should consider this, and the Government should consider this with a bit of humility... and change the invitation to one for a visit, not a state visit."

But Conservative MP Nigel Evans told those opposing Mr Trump to "get over it".

He said that those who "stand up and condemn him for being racist" are "attacking the American people" who voted for him.

"If they wanted more of the same," he added, "that was on the ballot paper".

Stop Trump: Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott addresses demonstrators at the rally
PA

In its official response to the petitions, the Government stressed ministers believe "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," the response said.

Calls for the state visit to be cancelled have been backed by London mayor Sadiq Khan, who hit out at the president's "cruel and shameful" policies.

Rally: Protesters holding placards take part in a rally in Parliament Square
Getty Images

Mr Khan said the controversial tycoon's travel ban aimed at people from seven Muslim-majority countries, which has run into trouble in the US courts, and the suspension of refugee admissions were reasons not to be "rolling out the red carpet".

Commons Speaker John Bercow has also become embroiled in the row after effectively banning Mr Trump from addressing MPs and peers during his visit.

The Stop Trump coalition has called a nationwide day of action and dozens of protests have been co-ordinated by the One Day Without Us movement celebrating the contribution of immigrants to British society.

The rally in Parliament Square, which organisers claimed will attract more than 20,000 people, will be addressed by speakers including joint Green Party leader Caroline Lucas and comic Shappi Khorsandi.

Celebrities backing the action include singer Paloma Faith, who said: "I'm backing the protests because I believe in human rights and compassion and Trump evidently does not."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in