UK parliament to debate call to cancel Trump's visit

An online petition calling for the cancellation of US president Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK has crossed the threshold of minimum 100,000 signatures and is now expected to be debated in the House of Commons.

More than 130,000 people signed the online petition by Sunday afternoon, making it eligible for debate in the parliament following controversial executive orders signed by Trump.

The petition titled “Prevent Donald Trump from making a State Visit to the United Kingdom” said the new US president “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.”

Trump caused controversy in the UK after signing an executive order banning refugees from entering the US.

An earlier statement by a government spokesman said British Prime Minister Theresa May “does not agree” with Trump’s refugee ban and will make representations if it hits Britons.

The statement came shortly after May’s return from Turkey following her trip to the White House.

During both visits, May had refused to condemn his executive order to ban refugees from entering the US.

May’s silence was largely criticized by the British public, media, and lawmakers, including parliamentarians from her Conservative party.

British premiere extended an invitation for a state visit from the Queen, during her two-day visit to the US last week, making her the first leader to have a face-to-face meeting with the new president.

The petition also said Trump is a “misogynist and vulgar person” and, therefore, is disqualified to meet with the Queen or other royals.

“Donald Trump’s well-documented misogyny and vulgarity disqualify him from being received by Her Majesty the Queen or the Prince of Wales. Therefore, during the term of his presidency Donald Trump should not be invited to the United Kingdom for an official state visit,” it said.

At 100,000 signatures, petitions are considered for debate in the UK parliament.

A previous petition asking for a ban on Donald Trump from entering the UK had attracted more than 500,000 signatures last year before the US presidential elections.