Farron: Government wrong to roll out red carpet for Trump

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has said it is wrong for Theresa May to roll out the red carpet for President Trump, as thousands of local residents sign a petition opposing a State Visit.

Across Cumbria almost 10,000 residents have signed the petition opposing a State Visit for Donald Trump, including two and a half thousand in Tim's constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale. Nationally, 1.7 million people have signed it.

Tim has spoken out against Trump's invitation for a State Visit, and has today said that if it goes ahead he will not attend any State Dinner thrown in honour of Donald Trump.

Last night there were protest rallies across the UK, as the public expressed their anger at the government's decision. A group of local residents staged a protest yesterday evening by the Birdcage in Kendal town centre. Tim attended the protest in London.

The public anger has come on the back of a deeply discriminatory Executive Order, signed by President Trump banning refugees and visas from predominately Muslim countries.

Tim said: "It is right that we speak to and engage with world leaders, including those we disagree with. However, there is a difference between doing this and rolling out the full red carpet treatment for somebody whose actions since taking office have been appalling. It is wrong for Theresa May to put the Queen in this position.

"Thousands of people here in the South Lakes, and almost two million across the UK, have signed a petition to show their opposition to the government's decision. The government has a duty to stand up to Trump and defend our British values of tolerance, respect and decency."

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Tim at the protest in London last night