LONDON, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. President Donald Trump's state visit plan to Britain rattled media's nerves again on Sunday after British newspaper the Guardian uncovered a so-called phone call content between Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May, in which the U.S. billionaire-turned politician said he doesn't want to go ahead with UK visit if there were large-scale public protests.
"The U.S. president said he did not want to come if there were large-scale protests and his remarks in effect put the visit on hold for some time," said the Guardian in a report described as an exclusive story.
The newspaper said the telephone call was made to Downing Street in recent weeks. It cited as its source a Downing Street adviser who was in the room at the time of the call.
The statement is said to have surprised May, according to those present, the newspaper added.
Xinhua called the Downing Street for inquiry about the news but was replied by the receptionist that the press office is busy on replying questions on Trump's visit from media and was promised with an e-mail reply later.
In the e-mail reply, a spokesperson with the Downing Street said "We aren't going to comment on speculation about the contents of private phone conversations. The Queen extended an invitation to President Trump to visit the UK and there is no change to those plans."
May invited Trump to Britain seven days after his inauguration when she became the first foreign leader to visit him in the White House. She told a joint press conference she had extended an invitation from the Queen to Trump and his wife Melania to make a state visit later in the year and was "delighted that the president has accepted that invitation."
Some senior diplomats said at the time the invitation was premature, but impossible to rescind once made.
Following the recent terrorist attack in London, Trump was critical of London mayor Sadiq Khan over the mayor's message to Londoners not to be alarmed by the increased presence of armed police.
It led to Khan calling on the British government to cancel Trump's invitation. The Guardian newspaper has also called for the invitation to be rescinded.
Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party tweeted on Sunday that Trump's decision was welcome, especially after his attack on the London mayor and Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Deal.
No date has yet been fixed for Trump's visit, but whenever it takes place protests are highly likely from numerous groups opposed to the president's policies.
