Oh boy! Anti-Trump petition passes a million signatures, protests planned

A petition to block Donald Trump from a state visit to the UK has hit one million signatures, hours ahead of nationwide protests.

The petition says: "Donald Trump should be allowed to enter the UK in his capacity as head of the US Government, but he should not be invited to make an official State Visit because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen.

"Donald Trump's well documented misogyny and vulgarity disqualifies him from being received by Her Majesty the Queen or the Prince of Wales."

But Downing Street has already insisted Mr Trump's state visit will go ahead.

Emphasising that there had been no change of position, a spokesperson said: "An invitation has been extended and accepted."

The petition was started in November but gained traction this weekend amid outrage over Mr Trump's 90-day travel ban on people from seven mainly Muslim countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson faces questions from MPs this afternoon after confirming he will make a statement on the travel ban in the Commons.

The Foreign Office insisted on Sunday night that following talks between Mr Johnson and Mr Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, the ban did not apply to Briton's with dual nationality.

However, a notice on the US Embassy in the UK website this morning said: "If you are a national, or dual national, of one of these countries (the seven majority Muslim countries), please do not schedule a visa appointment or pay any visa fees at this time.

"If you already have an appointment scheduled, please DO NOT ATTEND your appointment as we will not be able to proceed with your visa interview."

The Prime Minister's spokesman said it had not seen the statement on the website.

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones has spelled out his opposition to a state visit by Mr Trump with the Prime Minister during talks in Cardiff.

A spokesman for the Welsh Government said: "The First Minister raised serious concerns about how the recent US immigration order was handled by the UK Government, and his belief that a state visit would be difficult in the current circumstance."

Protests against the ban are planned for 6pm in London, Manchester, Bristol, Brighton, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Swansea.

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband and singer Lily Allen expected to address protesters in the capital.

Mr Milliband has also joined with Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi to call for an emergency debate in Parliament on Mr Trump's travel ban.

Iraqi-born Mr Zahawi tweeted: "With @Ed_Miliband calling for an emergency debate on the divisive ban by the United States on Nationals from predominantly Muslim countries."

Mr Miliband added in a tweet: "We think it essential the House of Commons has proper chance immediately to debate & send out united message against this abhorrent policy."

The Foreign Office issued guidance on the ban on Sunday which said:

:: The ban only applies to individuals travelling from one of the seven countries - Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen

:: Travellers to the US from anywhere other than one of those countries will experience no extra checks regardless of nationality or place of birth

:: UK nationals travelling from one of the seven countries are not included in the ban, even if they were born in one of the countries

:: Dual citizens from one of the seven countries travelling to the US from outside those countries are not affected

:: Dual nationals might experience extra checks if they travel directly from one of the seven nations.

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