LONDON: Around half of the British public think the UK must scrap its invitation for a full state visit to Donald Trump following his support for a British far-right group, a poll has revealed.

The exclusive survey for The Independent by BMG Research shows 48 per cent want the visit written off, with the figure soaring to 61 per cent once “don’t knows” are removed.

Hardening opposition to the official trip, which would see Trump meet the Queen, came as the US ambassador to London signalled a less formal visit to the UK would take place in the new year.

Any journey by Trump to Britain will likely be beset by demonstrations over the President’s support for the far right, his climate change policies, the “Muslim travel ban” and the decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The poll asked respondents whether, following criticism for Trump’s promotion of videos posted by Britain First, “should his invitation be officially withdrawn for his state visit to the UK?”

Of more than 1,500 people in a controlled sample questioned, 48 per cent said the invitation should be withdrawn, 31 per cent said it should not and 21 per cent said they did not know.

When those who did not express a preference are removed, the data shows almost two-thirds of people - 61 per cent - calling for the invitation to be ditched and 39 per cent saying it should not.

The invitation was extended by Theresa May when she travelled to the US earlier in the year, a trip on which she was pictured holding hands with the controversial US leader.

Reports suggested it had originally been set to take place later in 2017, but quickly became bogged down, with indications that Buckingham Palace was wary of the President attracting negative attention to the Queen.

More recently, May refused to back the President after he retweeted the anti-Muslim videos posted by Britain First, with the Prime Minister saying Trump had been “wrong” - which sparked an unprecedented public row between the two.

Trump hit back on social media that May should concentrate on her own job, tackling terrorism in the UK.

But despite the spat, Downing Street confirmed on Tuesday that the offer of a state visit still stood, though no date had been confirmed.

The Independent