UK

Jeremy Corbyn joins protest against Donald Trump visit

Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking on stage at an anti-Trump protest in Whitehall, London, on the second day of the state visit to the UK by the US president 
Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking on stage at an anti-Trump protest in Whitehall, London, on the second day of the state visit to the UK by the US president  Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking on stage at an anti-Trump protest in Whitehall, London, on the second day of the state visit to the UK by the US president 

Thousands of protesters have lined the streets of London to protest against the state visit of President Donald Trump.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed those demonstrating against Mr Trump's policies on the second day of his visit.

Mr Corbyn, who refused to attend a state banquet on Monday evening for the president, said he joined crowds to "stand in solidarity with those he's attacked in America, around the world and in our own country".

Mr Corbyn spoke to crowds from a stage in Whitehall this afternoon.

"In welcoming visitors to the United States, I hope there can be a conversation," he said.

"I am not, absolutely not, refusing to meet anybody. I want to be able to have that dialogue to bring about the better and more peaceful world that we all want to live in.

"But I'm very disappointed, particularly today, on the wonderful festival of Eid, that our Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has been attacked as he has.

"I am proud that our city has a Muslim mayor, that we can chase down Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, any form of racism within our society because racism divides."

British prime minister theresa May welcomed President Trump and his wife Melania to Downing Street this morning. Picture by Aaron Chown/PA Wire 
British prime minister theresa May welcomed President Trump and his wife Melania to Downing Street this morning. Picture by Aaron Chown/PA Wire  British prime minister theresa May welcomed President Trump and his wife Melania to Downing Street this morning. Picture by Aaron Chown/PA Wire 

A huge police and security operation is under way in London, with protesters barred from demonstrating directly outside Downing Street and road closures in place.

Organisers of the Together Against Trump protest have billed it a "carnival of resistance", with demonstrators gathering at Trafalgar Square from 11am to declare a "Trump-free zone".

Read More: Thousands to attend country-wide protests to Trump's Irish visit

The giant, orange inflatable baby Trump blimp took to the skies again after its owners reached their fundraising target and permission was granted by the Greater London Authority.

Organisers flew the 20ft blimp of the nappy-clad president clutching a mobile phone for two hours from 10am over Parliament Square.

Protesters opposed to US President Donald Trump's visit to the Republic launch what is expected to be a series of demonstrations across Ireland with a photocall in Dublin 
Protesters opposed to US President Donald Trump's visit to the Republic launch what is expected to be a series of demonstrations across Ireland with a photocall in Dublin  Protesters opposed to US President Donald Trump's visit to the Republic launch what is expected to be a series of demonstrations across Ireland with a photocall in Dublin 

A 16ft talking robot of Mr Trump sitting on a gold toilet also made an appearance.

Speaking at a press conference with Mrs May today, President Trump said of Jeremy Corbyn that he did "not know him, never met him, never spoke to him" but claimed to have turned down an offer to meet the Labour leader on a different occasion.

He said: "He wanted to meet today or tomorrow and I decided I would not do that.

"I think he is from where I come from somewhat of a negative force.

"I think the people should look to do things correctly as opposed to criticise - I really don't like critics as much as I like and respect people who get things done - so I decided not to meet."

A Labour spokesman said: "Jeremy Corbyn proposed a meeting with Donald Trump during the president's visit.

"Jeremy is ready to engage with the president on a range of issues, including the climate emergency, threats to peace and the refugee crisis."

The protesters included Handmaids Against Trump - women who will be draped in red with white hoods in homage to Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel about a crackdown on reproductive rights.

Climate change activists, students, pacifists, trade union members and families also gathered.

Labour's Diane Abbott and Emily Thornberry confirmed their attendance, while the Liberal Democrats and Green Party appealed for the public to join them.

Read More: Irish-American businessman says President Trump doesn't understand how US trade deals work

Demonstrators were not permitted to march past Downing Street as part of Whitehall was closed off.

Undated handout video grab issued by ELLE of the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in a video where he criticises Donald Trump PICTURE: ELLE/PA
Undated handout video grab issued by ELLE of the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in a video where he criticises Donald Trump PICTURE: ELLE/PA Undated handout video grab issued by ELLE of the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in a video where he criticises Donald Trump PICTURE: ELLE/PA

Organisers had initially planned to demonstrate outside the entrance to Downing Street as Mr Trump held talks with Prime Minister Theresa May.

Scotland Yard said: "Protesters will not be marching past Downing Street at any point.

"This is a multi-faceted security operation, and whilst the Met has a responsibility to ensure the right to peaceful protest, this needs to be balanced with the complex requirements of this policing plan."

Around 250,000 anti-Trump activists gathered when he flew into the UK on July 13 last year for his first visit as US president.

On Monday several visual protests were staged as the president touched down on British soil.

Amnesty International unfurled five banners on Vauxhall Bridge in view of the US embassy in London.

And a projection of Mr Trump's UK approval rating on the Tower of London was organised by anti-Brexit protest group Led By Donkeys.