Devon MP calls on the King to scrap US state visit

An angry Devon MP has urged the King to call off a planned trip to America amid concerns over President Donald Trump’s ‘illegal war’.

Newton Abbot Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley has signed a motion which says: “We refuse to let His Majesty the King be used as a political shield for an administration that treats our allies with contempt.”
His comments follow the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, in which President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have sanctioned attacks on Iran.
President Trump has distanced himself from this week’s Israeli attacks on Iranian energy resources, but has been critical of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership and says the UK should offer more support to the US war effort.
The Liberal Democrat motion calls on the Prime Minister to advise that His Majesty’s upcoming state visit to the United States is cancelled.
This comes, said Mr Wrigley, as Donald Trump continues his ‘illegal war’ against Iran, which has destabilised the Middle East and triggered a surge in energy bills across the country and petrol prices for families in Devon.
He said the party was calling on MPs from across the house to back the motion and stand up to President Trump’s “bullying” tactics.
Mr Wrigley added: “A state visit is our nation’s highest mark of respect. It cannot be used to validate a President who has ignited an illegal war, gambled with the world’s economy and sent energy bills soaring for every household across Devon.
“The Liberal Democrats are calling on Keir Starmer to find his backbone – stop the appeasement and cancel this visit now.”