British Politicians to Debate Trump State Visit Following Online Petition

The petition says that if Trump is welcomed for the official state visit, it will be an "embarrassment" to his host, Queen Elizabeth

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British members of Parliament are set to debate this year’s state visit by President Donald Trump following an online petition of more than 1.6 million signatures.

The petition was started over the weekend, after news of the British invitation was made public during Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to the White House on Friday. No date has been confirmed for the actual visit.

The petition says that if Trump is welcomed for the official state visit, it will be an “embarrassment” to his host, Queen Elizabeth.

It was announced Tuesday that the debate will take place in Westminster Hall on February 20. More than 70 MPs have backed a demand for Donald Trump to be banned from making a speech in Parliament during his state visit.

A motion has been laid in the Commons insisting the President must not be allowed to speak in Westminster Hall or any other room in the palace.

Prime Minister May’s visit to Washington, D.C., last week raised controversies over Trump’s past comments about the royals and his views on climate change that are at odds with those of Prince Charles.

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On Tuesday, a former top civil servant wrote to The Times saying that the visit was putting the Queen in a “very difficult position.”

May has insisted that the invitation stands. During a press press conference in Ireland on Monday, she said that the U.S. is a “close ally” and “we work together across many areas of mutual interest.”