White House denies Trump rethinking his UK visit

U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May (front) arrive for a joint press conference at the White Housein Washington D.C., the United States, Jan. 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- The White Houseon Sunday denied a Guardian report that suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump was considering postponing his first state visit to Britain over concerns about potential large protests.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer on Sunday told The Washington Post that the Guardian report was "false."

The Hill also cited another White House spokesman as saying that Trump "has tremendous respect for Prime Minister May," adding that "that subject never came up on the call."

Earlier on Sunday, the British newspaper Guardian cited sources as saying that Trump told British Prime Minister Theresa May in a recent phone call that "he did not want to come if there were large-scale protests."

The newspaper cited as its source a Downing Street adviser who was in the room at the time of the call.

Trump's statement was said to have surprised May, according to those present, the newspaper added.

In an e-mail response to Xinhua, a spokesperson with the Downing Street said that "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."

So far, it remained unknown the date for Trump's visit to Britain. However, British local media had previously said that the visit was planned for October.

The incident came as Trump again found himself bogged down in controversy after mischaracterizing London Mayor Sadiq Khan's remarks.

Following the recent terrorist attack in London, Trump was critical of 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 The Guardian newspaper has also called for the invitation to be rescinded.

May invited Trump to Britain seven days after his inauguration when she became the first foreign leader to visit him in the White House.