Trump baby blimp is 'biggest ever insult to a sitting president', Nigel Farage claims

Eleanor Rose11 July 2018

Nigel Farage has branded plans to let an "angry baby" Trump blimp fly over London during his forthcoming visit "the biggest insult to a sitting US president ever".

The former UKIP leader and longtime Trump ally claimed that Sadiq Khan's decision to allow the giant balloon to fly over Westminster "makes London look ridiculous".

Weighing in to a febrile debate over the six-metre inflatable, he asked: "Would this be happening if it was Obama?"

His comments stoked responses on Twitter ranging from support to mockery as some pointed out that other US presidents have also been subject to hostile behaviour.

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has spoken in support of Donald Trump 
AFP/Getty Images

"JFK getting shot in the head is probably more insulting than a flying a balloon," wrote one man.

"Obama endured an endless bombardment of racist caricatures for eight years," wrote another.

Some however agreed with Mr Farage, with one person writing that plans to fly the balloon lacked "class".

Donald Trump arrives in the UK and begins his trip next Friday
@TrumpBabyUK

"Insulting the American president who was democratically elected by the American people is shameful," said another.

The Mayor of London has hailed the blimp - which is the result of a crowdfunding campaign by activists opposing the president's visit - as a symbol of "peaceful protest".

Mr Khan's stance has stoked fury amongst Trump fans but been widely applauded by many of those planning to protest the President’s visit.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The Mayor supports the right to peaceful protest and understands that this can take many different forms.

"His city operations team have met with the organisers and have given them permission to use Parliament Square Garden as a grounding point for the blimp.

“However the organisers will also need to receive the necessary approvals from the Metropolitan Police and National Air Traffic Service in order for it to fly.”

The President is due to visit the UK over the weekend of July 13, when is understood he will go first to the US Ambassador's residence in Regent's Park before having dinner at Blenheim Palace.

During his three-day trip, he will meet with Theresa May at Chequers before joining the Queen at Windsor Castle.

In response to his visit, a national Stop Trump protest is expected to draw around 50,000 people to the capital.

Demonstrators will assemble outside the BBC building in Portland Place at 2pm on the Friday and march through Oxford Circus and down Regent Street, finishing up with a rally in Trafalgar Square.

Scotland Yard said it has plans in place to ensure the event will be secure, and said in a statement: "We are preparing for a multi-faceted policing and security operation, involving the protection and movement of the president.

"The requirements of this complex operation need to be balanced with the right of individuals to a freedom of speech."

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