It has become the question dividing Hollywood’s stars; to protest or not to protest?

Now, with cinema royalty gathering in Los Angeles for the Oscars, the British contingent has weighed into the debate of whether to use the Academy Awards ceremony to make a stand against President Donald Trump.

And they appear to be as split over the issue as their American counterparts.

At a pre-Oscar’s party held in honour of this year’s British nominees several UK stars and industry figures urged their colleagues to speak out against Mr Trump’s policies.

David Harewood, who starred as the director of the CIA in Homeland and went on to appear in the acclaimed BBC drama The Night Manager, said he endorsed any Oscar winners who took the opportunity to criticise the President.

"Any attempt to bash Trump is good," he said. "It's going to be a fun night. Definitely get your recorders out for some fun speeches."