Leeds solicitor's Trump state visit petition to be debated by MPs

Mr Khan said the controversial tycoon’s travel ban aimed at people from seven Muslim-majority countries, which has run into trouble in the US courts, and the suspension of refugee admissions were reasons not to be “rolling out the red carpet”.

MPs will today debate rival petitions on the invitation extended by Theresa May to the president to make a state visit while protesters will gather outside Parliament to speak out against Mr Trump.

Leeds solicitor Graham Guest begin one of the petitions, calling for the state visit not to go ahead, which has attracted more than 1.8m signatures.

A rival petition demanding that the visit goes ahead has been backed by 311,000 signatories,

Mr Khan said: “I love America, I love Americans and I believe the special relationship is a good one and one that’s here to stay.

“But when you’re mates with somebody, when you’ve got a special relationship, of course you are side-by-side with them in times of adversity but when they are wrong you call them out.”

He added: “I think this ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries, ending the refugee programme is cruel and it’s shameful.

“In those circumstances we shouldn’t be rolling out the red carpet.”

Mrs May has been criticised for offering Mr Trump a state visit too soon in his already highly controversial presidency.

Barack Obama only received an invitation after 758 days.