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Birmingham MP Liam Byrne has launched a “dump the Trump” campaign to ban the US President from the city.

He launched an online petition amid reports that Donald Trump’s state visit could be switched from London to the Midlands to avoid a public backlash in the capital.

The West Midlands returned the country’s highest pro-Brexit result in last year’s EU referendum, making it a contender to host the President this summer.

There were reports that President Trump could address a rally at the NEC , with the proceeds from ticket sales donated to the Royal British Legion.

But Hodge Hill Labour MP Mr Byrne said there was no place for him in Birmingham.

“What the Government is trying to do is dump the Trump on us and we don’t want him,” he told the Mail.

“I’m someone who loves America and believes in a strong US - UK relationship.

“But right now, after Brexit, we need to have unity in our communities and I don’t believe a visit by President Trump to Birmingham would achieve that.

“If I thought that he would come here and talk about issues over a cup of tea and a curry, I’d be all for it.

“But I don’t think that will happen because he’s a hugely divisive and controversial figure.”

Mr Byrne said he would be happy for President Trump to go to Westminster, but urged the Prime Minster to “please, spare the Midlands”.

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The petition, on the MP’s website, was launched on Saturday night, and had attracted 450 signatures by 4.30pm on Sunday.

He said he planned to present it to the city council and the Prime Minister and hoped to win the support of other city MPs.

“I haven’t set a figure of how many signatures I want to get,” Mr Byrne said.

“I hope that on Monday my fellow Birmingham MPs will join this campaign so we can make it to clear to Downing Street that they can’t dump the Trump on us.”