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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Politics
Matt Dathan

MPs will debate whether to ban Donald Trump from the UK for three hours

MPs will debate a motion on whether to ban Donald Trump from the UK for three hours on Monday, the House of Commons has confirmed. 

More than 570,000 people have signed a petition demanding a debate in Parliament, easily passing the 100,000 threshold for motions to be considered for discussion in the Commons, but three hours is longer than is usually given to debates triggered by e-petitions.  

The petition was started following the Republican candidate's controversial comments calling for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States until US authorities "can figure out" Muslim attitudes and claiming that London had become “so radicalised” the city’s police force are “afraid for their own lives”.

Labour MP Paul Flynn will lead the debate, which will also include a less popular petition urging politicians not to ban Mr Trump to ensure balance. 

Mr Trump responded to the news of the petition's success by saying the signatories were ungrateful, claiming he had "done so much" for the UK and adding: "They don't know what they're getting into."

Ministers have rejected calls for Mr Trump to be blocked from entering the UK, saying we should instead invite him over to show the success of multiculturalism. 

David Cameron described his comments as "divisive, stupid and wrong" and said Mr Trump should come to the UK because it would "unite us all against him". 

The debate will take place from 4.30pm - 7.30pm in Westminster Hall, the overflow chamber for the parliamentary debate. 

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