United States President, Donald Trump has reportedly cancelled his planned visit to the United Kingdom in February where he was billed to commission the new $1bn (£738m) US embassy in London. The US President made the decision known on Friday in a tweet posted on his verified personal Twitter handle @realDonaldTrump.
He stated that he was not a big fan of the new embassy after tacitly condemning the relocation of the embassy from Mayfair to South London and the subsequent sale of the old embassy. He blamed the Obama administration for the move and described the sale of the edifice as a 'bad deal'.
His tweet read;
"Reason I canceled my trip to London is that I am not a big fan of the Obama Administration having sold perhaps the best located and finest embassy in London for “peanuts,” only to build a new one in an off location for 1.2 billion dollars. Bad deal. Wanted me to cut ribbon-NO!"
Meanwhile, the UK Government has said no date has been agreed for the official visit of the US President to the country. Downing Street explained that the controversial opening of the US Embassy was an internal affair and had nothing to do with the UK invitation. The spokesman described the relationship between the US and UK as 'strong and deep' stressing that it will endure despite Trump's cancellation.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan who had clashed with Trump in the past said Trump cancelled the trip because he got the message that he is not wanted in London because of his policies and actions. His tweet read;
"Many Londoners have made it clear that Donald Trump is not welcome here while he is pursuing such a divisive agenda. It seems he’s finally got that message." But UK Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson has accused Khan of attempting to put UK's relationship with the US at risk by opposing the visit.
"The US is the biggest single investor in the UK - yet Khan & Corbyn seem determined to put this crucial relationship at risk. We will not allow US-UK relations to be endangered by some puffed up pompous popinjay in City Hall."
