Tim Farron, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has said that Britain should put President Trump’s visit on hold until he stops banning people purely on grounds of their faith.
Tim Farron said:
“Downing Street has finally distanced itself from President Trump’s appalling ban on Muslim people after Theresa May failed to do so. By then the damage to Britain’s reputation had been done.
“The British people were waiting for a Love Actually moment, instead they saw our Prime Minister behaving like Trump’s poodle.
“Any visit by President Trump to Britain should be on hold until his disgraceful ban comes to an end. Otherwise Theresa May would be placing the Queen in an impossible position of welcoming a man who is banning British citizens purely on grounds of their faith.
“Still Boris Johnson’s Foreign Office is dithering and has provided no travel advice to British citizens who could be caught up in the ban.
“When will Theresa May’s Conservative Brexit government stop costing up to unsavoury leaders and get a grip of this mounting crisis?
Additionally, following Sir Mo Farah’s dignified criticism of the Trump ban, the Liberal Democrats said that the “quiet strength” of his intervention puts the Prime Minister to shame.
Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said:
“Sir Mo Farah’s dignified criticism of the Trump ban spoke for decent, liberal values while Theresa May was more interested in remaining friends with Donald Trump.
“Sir Mo’s potential ban shows just how wide and unthinking the Trump order is. From Olympic athletes to Conservative MPs to ordinary, innocent people who simply have a different faith to the president – so many people are getting caught up in this chaotic ban.
“Now that even Boris Johnson seems to understand that Theresa May has committed a huge diplomatic blunder by not distancing herself sufficiently from Donald Trump, the British government needs to demand instant clarification from the new American administration.
“If our relationship with America is as special as the government claims, it must use its influence to secure safe passage for all British citizens with American visas intending to enter the United States.”
