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Donald Trump has been branded a chicken for cancelling his first UK trip as President next month - as politicians warned he would have faced "mass protests".

The US President justified his U-turn by falsely claiming it was because he opposed the Obama administration for selling off the old embassy in Mayfair.

But politicians and celebrities said he was scared of facing the British people's wrath over his retweeting of far-right videos and immigration ban on Muslim-majority countries.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling retweeted the news with a simple chicken emoji.

Meanwhile it renewed calls to cancel the President's separate State Visit - which has been long-delayed but is still technically on the cards.

(Image: J.K Rowling/Twitter)

London mayor Sadiq Khan added: "His visit next month would without doubt have been met by mass peaceful protests.

"This just reinforces what a mistake it was for Theresa May to rush and extend an invitation of a state visit in the first place.

"Let's hope that Donald Trump also revisits the pursuit of his divisive agenda."

Labour MP Chuka Umunna said it was "very welcome he is not coming any more", adding: "He runs counter to British values."

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband wasted no time in cutting Trump down to size, tweeting: "Nope it’s because nobody wanted you to come. And you got the message."

Labour MP Steve Reed said: "Plenty of us Londoners delighted that Trump won't be bringing his toxic racist and misogynistic views here to open the new US embassy."

Labour MP Stephen Doughty, who has called for Trump to delete his Twitter account, tweeted in the style of the US President: "Reason @realDonaldTrump canceled trip to London is that we are not a big fan of his racist, sexist, unthinking behaviour.

"Big protests if he came to cut ribbon. He wanted the red carpet treatment and cheering crowds - NO!"

Another Labour MP, David Lammy, tweeted: "He’s too scared of us Londoners who don’t want him darkening our door."

(Image: Barcroft Media) (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, bluntly suggested Trump only realised people were against him in Britain because they speak the same language.

"While I think it's a shame, I think - if I'm honest - it more reflects the fact that other people criticise in French, Italian, Korean and other languages and we criticise in English, and it's much easier for him to read English," he said.

But there is one person who was upset, of course - ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who once tried to be Trump's UK ambassador.

"It's disappointing - he has been to countries all over the world and yet he has not been to the one with whom he is closest," Mr Farage said.