This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/donald-trump-state-visit-uk-no-queen-visit-working-downgrade-tour-us-president-latest-a7994356.html

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Donald Trump has state visit to UK downgraded 'and will not be guest of the Queen' Donald Trump has state visit to UK downgraded 'and will not be guest of the Queen'
(about 1 hour later)
Donald Trump’s planned state visit to the UK in 2018 has been downgraded to a “working visit”, likely forming part of a multi-country tour, it has been reported. Donald Trump is expected to make a scaled-back trip to the UK early next year, which would see him missing out on meeting the Queen.
It means the billionaire will not be a guest of the Queen, as was previously envisaged. The US President had been extended the honour of a full state visit after meeting Theresa May earlier this year, however diplomats are reportedly discussing plans for a "working trip" in 2018 where Mr Trump could be asked to open a new embassy in the UK.
Theresa May’s offer of a state visit to the US President was greeted with the threat of mass protests. The official invitation - which is traditionally reserved for a president's second term in office - prompted threats of mass protests and boycotts over Mr Trump's controversial record. 
Mr Trump’s visit will now take place without the glitz and pomp of a full state visit, the London Evening Standard reported. More than 1.8 million people signed a petition against the plans and Commons Speaker John Bercow told MPs that Mr Trump should not be allowed to address Parliament.
A state visit was also opposed by London mayor Sadiq Khan, who said he was “not sure it is appropriate for our government to roll out the red carpet” for Mr Trump. London Mayor Sadiq Khan also opposed the visit, saying he was “not sure it is appropriate for our Government to roll out the red carpet” for Mr Trump.
Hundreds of thousands of people had signed a petition against the plan. The White House had to deny reports over the summer that Mr Trump wanted to delay his visit until he could be sure of a better reception.
In July senior Government sources told The Independent the state visit was still planned for 2018 despite the outrage. In an effort to avoid controversy, Mr Trump's planned visit will be a more low-key event where he would be a guest of the US ambassador Woody Johnson rather than Buckingham Palace, according to the London Evening Standard.
Sources told the Standard this week a state visit was now being considered for a later, as-yet-undetermined, stage. British and American officials insisted the full visit would still go ahead but refused to comment on claims his first trip to the UK as President would be a more muted affair.
During the summer, the White House denied reports that Mr Trump wanted to delay his visit until he could be sure of a better reception, following a phone call with Theresa May. A Downing Street spokesman said: "Our position on the state visit has not changed - an offer has been extended and President Trump has accepted.
The President’s spokesman said: “The subject never came up.” "Exact dates for President Trump to visit have not yet been arranged."
At the time, Downing Street maintained there had been “no change” to plans for a state visit. A US Embassy spokesman said: “There are currently no plans for a working-level visit.’’
On Wednesday, Theresa May’s office said she was not aware of plans for a “working visit”, and said the position on the state visit had not changed. The offer had been extended, accepted by Mr Trump, and no dates had been arranged. The Prime Minister extended the invitation shortly after Mr Trump’s inauguration, when she was the first world leader to visit the new President in Washington.
A spokesman for the US Embassy said: “There are currently no plans for a working-level visit.’’ Since then Mr Trump has made trips to a string of global capitals, spending Bastille Day with Emmanuel Macron in France, as well as trips to the Vatican and to Hamburg for G20 talks.
The Prime Minister extended her invitation in January, shortly after Mr Trump’s inauguration. She was the first world leader to visit the new president in Washington.