Donald Trump visit to UK 'pencilled in for February'

John Ashmore

Donald Trump will reportedly make a brief visit to the UK at the end of February, despite his recent Twitter spat with Theresa May.



The Sunday Times reports government sources saying the president will be in London for the opening of the new US embassy complex on the south bank of the Thames.

However he will not be afforded the pomp of a full state visit, or a meeting with the Queen, amid fears that would provoke mass protests against the visit.

The paper says plans for a flying visit on 26-27 February have been in the Downing St diary since ten days' ago, before Mr Trump created fresh controversy by retweeting's a series of videos from far-right group Britain First.

That prompted Mrs May's spokesman to condemn the president's actions, while MPs on all sides of the Commons rounded on Mr Trump earlier this week.

In an extraordinary response, Mr Trump then directly tweeted at the Prime Minister, telling her to focus on "Radical Islamic Terror" in the UK instead of criticising him.

Justice minister Sam Gyimah said he was "deeply uncomfortable" about the prospect of Mr Trump visiting the UK following the week's row.

.@Theresa_May, don’t focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2017

Despite the criticism, Home Secretary Amber Rudd insisted the offer of a full state visit for Mr Trump remains open - although there appears to be little sign of him taking it up in the near future.