This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42657954
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Donald Trump cancels February visit to UK | Donald Trump cancels February visit to UK |
(35 minutes later) | |
Donald Trump has cancelled a visit to the UK planned for February, an official source has told the BBC. | Donald Trump has cancelled a visit to the UK planned for February, an official source has told the BBC. |
The US president had been expected to open the new US embassy in London, but the ceremony may instead be hosted by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. | The US president had been expected to open the new US embassy in London, but the ceremony may instead be hosted by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. |
Mr Trump accepted the Queen's invitation for a UK state visit when Theresa May met him last year, although no firm date for that has been agreed. | Mr Trump accepted the Queen's invitation for a UK state visit when Theresa May met him last year, although no firm date for that has been agreed. |
Downing Street has declined to comment on the February trip cancellation. | |
The BBC understands that No 10 is considering options for a state visit later in the year, with plans for Mr Trump to have lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace. | |
But no firm date for a state visit had ever been agreed, nor had the White House "nailed down the details of the trip", says BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale. | But no firm date for a state visit had ever been agreed, nor had the White House "nailed down the details of the trip", says BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale. |
Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, last month told the BBC he "absolutely" expected Mr Trump to visit Britain in the new year. | Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, last month told the BBC he "absolutely" expected Mr Trump to visit Britain in the new year. |
The latest development follows reports that Mr Trump wanted to delay a potential visit amid concerns about large-scale protests. | The latest development follows reports that Mr Trump wanted to delay a potential visit amid concerns about large-scale protests. |
During the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament last summer, there was no mention of a visit - although a Downing Street spokesman said an invitation had been "extended and accepted". | During the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament last summer, there was no mention of a visit - although a Downing Street spokesman said an invitation had been "extended and accepted". |
Mrs May was the first foreign leader to meet Mr Trump after his inauguration when she visited the Oval Office in January 2017. | Mrs May was the first foreign leader to meet Mr Trump after his inauguration when she visited the Oval Office in January 2017. |
Typically during state visits, the government, the visiting government and the royal household agree on a detailed schedule where the Queen acts as the official host. | Typically during state visits, the government, the visiting government and the royal household agree on a detailed schedule where the Queen acts as the official host. |
According to BBC North America editor Jon Sopel, Mr Trump felt the new $1bn (£738m) embassy was a legacy of his predecessor, Barack Obama, who was in office when the site in Wandsworth was secured in 2008. | According to BBC North America editor Jon Sopel, Mr Trump felt the new $1bn (£738m) embassy was a legacy of his predecessor, Barack Obama, who was in office when the site in Wandsworth was secured in 2008. |
Recent policy disagreements between the US and UK are not thought to have played a part in the decision - including Mr Trump's move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. | Recent policy disagreements between the US and UK are not thought to have played a part in the decision - including Mr Trump's move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. |
Mrs May said she disagreed with that US decision, which she deemed "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region". | Mrs May said she disagreed with that US decision, which she deemed "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region". |
And in November, Mr Trump clashed with Mrs May after she said it was "wrong" for the US president to share videos posted by the far-right group Britain First. | And in November, Mr Trump clashed with Mrs May after she said it was "wrong" for the US president to share videos posted by the far-right group Britain First. |
Mrs May more recently discussed Brexit and events in the Middle East in a pre-Christmas phone call with Mr Trump. | Mrs May more recently discussed Brexit and events in the Middle East in a pre-Christmas phone call with Mr Trump. |