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Theresa May under pressure to condemn Trump's US travel ban Theresa May under pressure to condemn Trump's US travel ban
(35 minutes later)
Theresa May was facing continued pressure on Sunday to make a stronger condemnation of Donald Trump’s ban on refugees and other travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries entering the US, with one of her MPs arguing Trump should not address parliament during his upcoming state visit. Theresa May took time to condemn Donald Trump’s ban on refugees and other travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries entering the US because she wanted to “see the evidence” being responding, one of her ministers has said.
Sarah Wollaston, the Totnes MP, called the US president a “sickening piece of work” in a series of tweets and said he should not be given the traditional state visit courtesy of addressing both houses of parliament in Westminster Hall. The comments from David Gauke, chief secretary to the Treasury, came as Nadhim Zahawi, an Iraq-born Conservative MP affected by the US president’s policy, called it “demeaning” and “sad”.
The prime minister was on Sunday facing continued pressure to make a stronger criticism of the ban, which has brought global condemnation and prompted travel and legal chaos within the US.
During a trip to Turkey on Saturday, May declined three times to say she condemned Trump’s executive order. Amid growing criticism, including from some from her MPs, a spokesman for the PM released a statement shortly after midnight saying she disagreed with the policy.
Gauke, speaking on BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show, called the ban “divisive” and said it was “a particular concern” that UK nationals such as Zahawi could be caught up in it. “I think there are real risks with it being counterproductive, and we don’t have that policy – we wouldn’t contemplate going down the route of a ban in this way, and we have a very different approach to to,” Gauke said. “We disagree with the position that President Trump has set out.”
Asked why it took May so long to respond, he said: “The prime minister is not a shoot-from-the-hip type of politician. She wants to see the evidence. She wants to understand precisely what the implications are.”
Speaking on the same programme, Zahawi, who was born in Baghdad and came to the UK as a child, said he and his wife were worried they would not be able to travel to see their twin sons, who are studying at Princeton university, despite holding 10-year US visas.
“For the first time in my life, last night, I felt discriminated against,” Zahawi said. “It’s demeaning. It’s sad.”
However, the Stratford-on-Avon MP said he was “reassured” by May’s statement. “She quite clearly says she disagrees with this,” Zahawi said. She quite clearly says she will make representations on behalf of every citizen.”
May was “rightly was being cautious” in taking time to respond, he insisted. “I think her being careful is a good thing. But she was also very candid with President Trump.”
But also speaking on the Marr show the former acting Labour leader, Harriet Harman, said she was “very dismayed” when she saw pictures of May holding Trump’s hand during her Friday visit to the White House. “And then I was horrified when he announced this ban and three times she said it was nothing to do with me,” Harman said. “Well it is to do with us. She obviously needs to be careful as prime minister, but she needs to be strong as well. I was really disappointed and hope she has learned some lessons.”
Earlier, Sarah Wollaston, Conservative MP for Totnes, called the US president a “sickening piece of work” in a series of tweets and said he should not be given the traditional state visit courtesy of addressing both houses of parliament in Westminster Hall.
“Westminster Hall has great significance & should be reserved for leaders who have made an outstanding positive difference in the world,” she tweeted. “That doesn’t include Mr Trump.”“Westminster Hall has great significance & should be reserved for leaders who have made an outstanding positive difference in the world,” she tweeted. “That doesn’t include Mr Trump.”
Her comments came shortly before May released a statement after midnight saying she “does not agree” with Trump’s policy, which has brought global condemnation and prompted travel and legal chaos within the US. May’s eventual statement had said the UK would “make representations” if British citizens were affected by the 90-day ban on travel to the US for those from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen.
The statement, released via a spokesman, said the UK would “make representations” if British citizens were affected by the 90-day ban on travel to the US for those from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen.
“Immigration policy in the United States is a matter for the government of the United States, just the same as immigration policy for this country should be set by our government,” the spokesman said.“Immigration policy in the United States is a matter for the government of the United States, just the same as immigration policy for this country should be set by our government,” the spokesman said.
“But we do not agree with this kind of approach and it is not one we will be taking.We are studying this new executive order to see what it means and what the legal effects are, and in particular what the consequences are for UK nationals. If there is any impact on UK nationals then clearly we will make representations to the US government about that.”“But we do not agree with this kind of approach and it is not one we will be taking.We are studying this new executive order to see what it means and what the legal effects are, and in particular what the consequences are for UK nationals. If there is any impact on UK nationals then clearly we will make representations to the US government about that.”
The statement followed strong criticism of Trump from other Tory MPs, including Nadhim Zahawi, who said a US immigration lawyer said he and his wife could be affected by the order as they were born in Iraq, even though they only hold UK passports.
“A sad, sad day to feel like a second-class citizen,” he said. “Sad day for the USA.” He added: “I’m a British citizen and so proud to have been welcomed to this country. Sad to hear I’ll be banned from the USA based on my country of birth.”
Heidi Allen, another Tory MP, tagged May in a tweet which said: “Strong leadership means not being afraid to tell someone powerful when they’re wrong. It’s an ethos this country is proud of.”Heidi Allen, another Tory MP, tagged May in a tweet which said: “Strong leadership means not being afraid to tell someone powerful when they’re wrong. It’s an ethos this country is proud of.”
The prime minister is facing questions about why she took so long to respond to the controversy. The issue has soured her trip to visit Trump on Friday which Downing Street had regarded as a success.
May initially refused to condemn the ban on refugees and nationals of the seven countries when asked about Trump’s order during a visit to Turkey. After being repeatedly pressed, May would only say: “The United States is responsible for the United States’ policy on refugees.”
Aides again refused to elaborate on that position when May landed at Heathrow on Saturday evening, but the position could not hold as the prime minister came under under mounting criticism from Conservative and opposition MPs, while other foreign governments expressed strong concerns.
Another high-profile Briton possible affected is Sir Mo Farah, who came to the UK as a child from Somalia. He trains in Oregon, and it is not clear whether he will be allowed to re-enter the US. Farah is believed to be in Ethiopia for two weeks.Another high-profile Briton possible affected is Sir Mo Farah, who came to the UK as a child from Somalia. He trains in Oregon, and it is not clear whether he will be allowed to re-enter the US. Farah is believed to be in Ethiopia for two weeks.
With government ministers initially silent, Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservative leader, was one of the most senior Tories to condemn the ban, saying it was “both wrong in itself and very worrying for the future”.With government ministers initially silent, Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservative leader, was one of the most senior Tories to condemn the ban, saying it was “both wrong in itself and very worrying for the future”.
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said May should have condemned Trump’s actions. “President Trump’s executive order against refugees and Muslims should shock and appal us all,” he said.The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said May should have condemned Trump’s actions. “President Trump’s executive order against refugees and Muslims should shock and appal us all,” he said.
“Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning his actions. It should sadden our country that she chose not to.“Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning his actions. It should sadden our country that she chose not to.
“After Trump’s hideous actions and May’s weak failure to condemn them, it’s more important than ever for us to say to refugees seeking a place of safety, that they will always be welcome in Britain.”“After Trump’s hideous actions and May’s weak failure to condemn them, it’s more important than ever for us to say to refugees seeking a place of safety, that they will always be welcome in Britain.”
The Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, said the British government urgently needed to give travel advice to British citizens who might be affected by the ban.The Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, said the British government urgently needed to give travel advice to British citizens who might be affected by the ban.
He said: “Even allowing for her cosying up to Donald Trump, it would be a gross abdication of her responsibilities to all British citizens if she doesn’t take this up with her new best friend now, making clear that anyone with a British passport and a visa should be allowed safe passage.”He said: “Even allowing for her cosying up to Donald Trump, it would be a gross abdication of her responsibilities to all British citizens if she doesn’t take this up with her new best friend now, making clear that anyone with a British passport and a visa should be allowed safe passage.”
Trump has also banned refugees from entering the country for 120 days and those seeking asylum from Syria have been banned indefinitely.Trump has also banned refugees from entering the country for 120 days and those seeking asylum from Syria have been banned indefinitely.