UK politicians criticize planned Trump appearance at D-Day commemorations

British politicians criticized President Trump’s upcoming visit to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

The leader of the Portsmouth City Council, Gerald Vernon-Jackson, said Trump’s visit would hurt the event. 

“His visit has changed things dramatically for D-Day 75 and has ruined things for the people of Portsmouth,” he said, according to local newspaper The News. “We made a conscious decision not to invite him. We thought about inviting all the heads of state of Allied nations but decided against it.”

“Now Downing Street have gone over our head,” he added. “It will bring protests to Portsmouth because of Trump. That will change things for the worse.”{mosads}

Vernon-Jackson also said that he did not believe Trump had “learnt the lessons” of World War II, especially about the importance of working with other countries for defense and respecting human rights to prevent genocides, according to the Evening Standard. 

He also appeared to criticize the move on Twitter. 

The D Day 75 commemoration we have planned was with the veterans meeting the Queen, probably for the last time. Now with Donald Trump coming this will become a day of controversy not commemoration, and an event open to everyone in Portsmouth will now have huge security barriers.

— Gerald VernonJackson (@geraldvjuk) April 23, 2019

A Portsmouth South member of Parliament also lamented the money the government would spend on Trump’s visit. 

“His last visit cost 18 million pounds in additional policing costs and sucked vital resources from our nation’s communities, it caused widespread protests and was a catalyst for division across our country,” said Stephen Morgan, according to the Evening Standard. 

“I find it deeply saddening that the Government can’t find money for our brave veterans, but it can find money to give Mr. Trump a state ceremony,” he added. 

The White House announced on Tuesday that Trump will visit the United Kingdom in June. He is expected to participate in the D-Day anniversary ceremonies in Portsmouth commemorating the Allies’ invasion of Europe during World War II.