Britain on standby for last-minute Donald Trump visit Officials are making preparations for a short notice visit by the US President Donald Trump despite protests against such a […]

Officials are making preparations for a short notice visit by the US President Donald Trump despite protests against such a trip after his election.

The President’s schedule could allow a flying stop as he crosses the Atlantic on his way to Bastille Day celebrations in France on 14 July.

In order to avoid protesters having time to prepare, any official confirmation of his visit is likely to be given only a day in advance, a White House source told the Sunday Times.

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Mr Trump told the Prime Minister at the beginning of June that he would delay his intended visit until the British public welcomed him.

‘Window of opportunity’

Previous plans were delayed by the announcement of the snap election, though Mr Trump accepted an invitation from Mrs May during her visit to the White House in January.

A White House source told the Sunday Times: “There is a window of opportunity for the president to visit Britain when he is in Europe later this month.

“It is likely it will be hastily arranged and it is possible no official confirmation of his visit will be given until at least 24 hours before to stop any large-scale protests against his visit from being mobilised.”

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Westminster and around Britain in February to express their opposition to a visit by Mr Trump as he attempted to impose a travel ban focused on Muslim majority countries.

Bercow’s opposition

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, said he would be opposed to any address by the President at Parliament itself.

“Before the imposition of the migrant ban, I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall,” he said. “After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump, I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.”

A Westminster official said no solid plans were in place for the somewhat informal visit but that they were ‘aware it might happen’.

The visit would be treated as informal, without full state honours, and could feature a visit to the Trump golf course in Aberdeenshire, now part of the company being run by his sons.