Donald Trump’s 'working visit' to UK postponed, reports say
Trip was set to take place early in the New Year, but now no formal date is in place
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.US diplomats have reportedly dropped Donald Trump‘s planned working visit to the UK.
Mr Trump had been expected to visit the UK early next year to open the new US embassy – although it would not have been a full state visit and he would not have meet the Queen.
However, even that trip has now been postponed, according to a report in The Daily Telegraph.
The site reported a senior US diplomat as saying: “The idea of a visit has obviously been floated, but not December and not January. I would not expect a Trump visit in January.”
The reported postponement comes amid a public spat with Theresa May over the President’s retweets of a far-right group.
But the diplomat told the Telegraph the two were not related.
On Wednesday Mr Trump retweeted three videos posted by Britain First deputy leader Jayda Fransen, causing widespread outrage.
Ms May said the decision was “wrong” and MPs queued up to condemn the President.
Mr Trump hit back on Twitter by telling the Prime Minister: “Don’t focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine!”
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Mr Trump did not know who Ms Fransen was when he retweeted her posts, and defended his actions.
Asked if Mr Trump had elevated a far-right group to prominence, she added: “I think what he’s done is elevate the conversation to talk about a real issue and a real threat and that’s extreme violence and extreme terrorism, something that we know to be very real and something the president feels strongly about talking about and bringing up and making sure is an issue every single day.”
Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the Commons on Thursday that in relation to the visit, “an invitation has been extended and accepted” but no date had been fixed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments