British Parliament To Debate Withdrawing Donald Trump’s Invite For State Visit – Huffington Post

British Parliament will debate on Monday whether the government should rescind its invitation to President Donald Trump for an official state visit.

A petition to Parliament calling for the invite to be withdrawn has amassed more than 1.8 million signatures as of Sunday, far surpassing the 100,000 signatures needed to prompt a debate in Parliament.

He should not be invited to make an official State Visit because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen, the petition reads, citing Trumps well documented misogyny and vulgarity.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan agrees with the petition and said Sunday Trump should be denied due to hisban on people from seven Muslim-majorities countries and his decision to block refugees from entering the United States, the Associated Press reports.

In those circumstances we shouldnt be rolling out the red carpet, Khan said.

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Hosted by the Queen, state visits in England are typically multi-day affairs with pomp and ceremony: They include a horse-drawn carriage ride to Buckingham Palace accompanied by senior-most regiments of the British Army, gun salutes and a formal banquet at the palace where the visiting official is feted.

Prime Minister Theresa May sparked controversy for not only extending the invite to Trump, but also doing it so quickly just days after his Jan. 20 inauguration.

Of the 12 U.S. presidents to hold office during Queen Elizabeth IIs reign, only two have been received in official state visits: President George W. Bush in 2003 and President Barack Obama in 2011.

Lewis Whyld/Pool/Reuters

A spokesman for Downing Street, the headquarters of the British government, told the U.K. tabloid The Mirror thatthere is a process for state visits.

Typically, the State Visits Committee comprising trade and security officials and private secretaries to the royal family and the prime minister recommends a list of leaders to invite, on which Downing Street and Buckingham Palace must sign off. The invitation is then extended by the government on behalf of the queen.

The government has thus far stood by the decision to invite Trump, saying, HM Government believes 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.

May was the first foreign leader welcomed to the Trump White House, visiting a week after his inauguration.

Queen Elizabeth's State Visits By Foreign Leaders

President Barack Obama

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: (L-R) U.S. President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive at Winfield House, the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America, in Regent's Park, on May 25, 2011 in London, England. The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and First Lady Michelle are in the UK for a two day State Visit at the invitation of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Last night they attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace and today's events include talks at Downing Street and the President will address both houses of Parliament at Westminster Hall. (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

WPA Pool via Getty Images

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British Parliament To Debate Withdrawing Donald Trump's Invite For State Visit - Huffington Post

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