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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Donald Trump state visit to UK being considered | Donald Trump state visit to UK being considered |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The UK government is considering inviting US President-elect Donald Trump for a state visit, Downing Street has said. | The UK government is considering inviting US President-elect Donald Trump for a state visit, Downing Street has said. |
| The Republican, who beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the election earlier this month, is due to take office on 20 January. | The Republican, who beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the election earlier this month, is due to take office on 20 January. |
| Earlier this year, MPs debated the idea of banning Mr Trump from the UK. | Earlier this year, MPs debated the idea of banning Mr Trump from the UK. |
| But the government has stressed the importance of maintaining the "special relationship" between the countries. | But the government has stressed the importance of maintaining the "special relationship" between the countries. |
| Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokeswoman said: "An invitation for a state visit is one of the things that is under consideration following the election of a new US president. One of the issues under consideration is the 2017 state visits." | Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokeswoman said: "An invitation for a state visit is one of the things that is under consideration following the election of a new US president. One of the issues under consideration is the 2017 state visits." |
| State visits are formal trips to the UK by foreign heads of state from overseas. There are normally two a year and invitations are sent on the advice of the Foreign Office. | State visits are formal trips to the UK by foreign heads of state from overseas. There are normally two a year and invitations are sent on the advice of the Foreign Office. |
| Recent state visits to UK | Recent state visits to UK |
| November 2016 - President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia | November 2016 - President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia |
| October 2015 - President Xi Jinping of China | October 2015 - President Xi Jinping of China |
| March 2015 - President Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico | March 2015 - President Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico |
| October 2014 - President Tony Tan Keng Yam of Singapore | October 2014 - President Tony Tan Keng Yam of Singapore |
| April 2014 - President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland | April 2014 - President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland |
| November 2013 - President Park Geun-hye of South Korea | November 2013 - President Park Geun-hye of South Korea |
| The Queen acts as host, with the visitor usually staying either at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. | The Queen acts as host, with the visitor usually staying either at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. |
| Visits normally begin with a ceremonial welcome attended by The Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family, while a State Banquet is held in his or her honour. | Visits normally begin with a ceremonial welcome attended by The Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family, while a State Banquet is held in his or her honour. |
| Mr Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, made a state visit to the UK in 2011. | |
| In January, MPs debated whether Mr Trump should be banned from visiting the UK, after 574,000 people signed a petition. This followed his remarks calling for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US. | |
| It was argued that his presence would risk "inflaming tensions between vulnerable communities". But opponents of a ban said it would give Mr Trump "the role of martyrdom" and could mean "shutting down an honest debate" on immigration. | |
| News of the possible state visit came as Mr Obama - who had his farewell trip to Europe last week - said he would speak out about Mr Trump's presidency if he feels an issue "goes to core questions about our values and our ideals". | News of the possible state visit came as Mr Obama - who had his farewell trip to Europe last week - said he would speak out about Mr Trump's presidency if he feels an issue "goes to core questions about our values and our ideals". |
| US presidents tend to avoid criticising predecessors or successors. Mr Obama - who has previously been heavily criticised by Mr Trump and who had questioned his successor's suitability for high office - was clear that he would not weigh in on Mr Trump's decisions while he was still in power. | US presidents tend to avoid criticising predecessors or successors. Mr Obama - who has previously been heavily criticised by Mr Trump and who had questioned his successor's suitability for high office - was clear that he would not weigh in on Mr Trump's decisions while he was still in power. |
| Meanwhile, as the president-elect continues to select his leadership team, he has confirmed he is considering retired Marine Corps Gen James Mattis for the role of defence secretary, calling him "very impressive" in a tweet. | Meanwhile, as the president-elect continues to select his leadership team, he has confirmed he is considering retired Marine Corps Gen James Mattis for the role of defence secretary, calling him "very impressive" in a tweet. |
| He also met former critic Mitt Romney, who is now being considered for secretary of state. | He also met former critic Mitt Romney, who is now being considered for secretary of state. |
| Congressman Mike Pompeo has been nominated as CIA director and retired Lt Gen Michael Flynn made national security adviser. | Congressman Mike Pompeo has been nominated as CIA director and retired Lt Gen Michael Flynn made national security adviser. |