Trump is ‘a threat to our world order’ and unworthy of UK state visit, Labour’s Emily Thornberry says

US president is ‘nothing but a disgrace to his office’, shadow foreign secretary says

Donald Trump has been branded a “threat to our world order” and unworthy of a state visit, after he moved to pull the United States from the international Arms Trade Treaty.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said the US president’s plan to quit the agreement regulating arms sales between countries showed he was “nothing but a disgrace to his office”.

In a furious intervention, the shadow cabinet member said Mr Trump’s move was ”the final confirmation that he is not the leader of the free world”.

Her comments came as Jeremy Corbyn vowed to boycott a lavish banquet for Mr Trump when he visits the UK in June for a long-delayed state visit.

The Labour leader said Theresa May was wrong to “kowtow” to a president who “rips up vital international treaties”.

Ms Thornberry, who would play a leading role in dealing with Mr Trump’s administration if Labour were elected, said: “Donald Trump’s statement on the Arms Trade Treaty is the final confirmation that he is not the leader of the free world, he never has been, and he does not deserve the honour of a state visit to Britain.

“He is nothing but a disgrace to his office and a threat to our world order.

Mr Trump said the US would be “taking our signature back” from the international Arms Trade Treaty on Friday, which was signed by Barack Obama in 2013.

In a speech to the National Rifle Association, the pro-gun lobby group, Mr Trump said: “Under my administration, we will never surrender American sovereignty to anyone.

“We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your second amendment freedoms.

“And that is why my administration will never ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty.”

More than 100 countries, including the UK, have signed up to the treaty that regulates international trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

Former president Barack Obama signed the accord, arranged under the auspices of the United Nations, in 2013, although it has not been ratified by US legislators.

Mr Trump’s decision to halt ratification follows similar withdrawals from the Paris agreement on climate change, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia and the Iran nuclear deal.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said the decision was “another retrograde step” and called on the government to cancel the state visit.

He said: “It is a stain on the Conservative government that they have invited this president for all the pomp and circumstance of a state visit.

“He is playing a negative role on the international stage – the visit should be cancelled.”

Mr Trump’s three-day visit in June has drawn huge controversy, with mass demonstrations expected throughout.

He will hold bilateral talks with Ms May at Downing Street, as well as attending a white-tie dinner banquet at Buckingham Palace, hosted by the Queen.