US President Donald Trump’s controversial State visit to Britain could move from London to the Midlands to allow the him to address a mass rally and raise money for Armed Forces veterans, the Daily Telegraph has reported. Ministers have also said the trip could be delayed from June to July to coincide with Mr Trump’s visit to the G20 summit of developed nations in Hamburg.
Trump advisers and senior Foreign Office figures have discussed how to save the controversial visit. One idea, which has been suggested to the White House, is for President Trump to address a rally in Birmingham where the audience would pay to enter, with profits going to the Royal British Legion.
Venues such as the National Exhibition Centre are being considered for a large rally at which Mr Trump could speak. It is felt that a gathering in the Brexit heartland might offer President Trump a more sympathetic hearing as a supporter of Britain out of the European Union. He will follow in steps of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had addressed 60,000 people at the Wembley Stadium in November 2015.
More than 1.8mn people had signed a petition to stop President Trump from visiting the UK, but Prime Minister Theresa May has formally rejected it.
The Government's response to the petition said it "recognises the strong views" of those who supported the petition but said he should be extended the "full courtesy of a State visit".
It went on to say: "During her visit to the United States on 27 January 2017, the Prime Minister, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, invited President Trump for a State Visit to the UK later this year. The invitation was accepted.
"This invitation reflects the importance of the relationship between the United States of America and the United Kingdom. At this stage, final dates have not yet been agreed for the State Visit."
