LONDON – The British government has rejected a petition seeking withdrawal of invitation to U.S. President Donald Trump for a state visit.
A petition against the visit of U.S president attracted signatures of more than 1.8 million people, while a counter petition calling for the visit to go ahead was signed by more that 309,000 people.
More than 1.8 million people signed the petition, which said a state visit would cause the Queen “embarrassment”.
Both petitions will be debated by the House of Commons on 20 February, the BBC reported.
The government replies to all petitions on its website if they are signed by more than 10,000 people, and a similar response has been given supporting the one calling for the Trump’s state visit to go ahead.
Posted on the petitions website, they say the government believes U.S president “should be extended the full courtesy of a state visit”, adding: “This invitation reflects the importance of the relationship between the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
“At this stage, final dates have not yet been agreed for the state visit.”
The invitation was issued during Prime Minister Theresa May’s meeting in Washington with Donald Trump during last month.
Leeds solicitor Graham Guest started the online petition that said Trump should be allowed into the UK but not to make a state visit.
It came amid protests at the president’s executive order barring people from seven Muslim countries from entering the US.
