World

UK PM May says did not have advance notice of Trump refugee order

'If he's asking me if I had advance notice that the executive order could affect UK citizens, the answer is no'

Reuters February 01, 2017

britain 039 s prime minister theresa may leaves 10 downing street in london britain february 1 2017 photo reuters

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Britain February 1, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday she was not given advance notice of US President Donald Trump's plan to sign an executive order suspending the US admission of refugees shortly after the two met in Washington.

.@theresa_may says she didn't have advance notice on Trump travel banhttps://t.co/04hP53ftxj #PMQs pic.twitter.com/K1GhWwEpLK
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) February 1, 2017

Last Friday, Trump issued an executive order barring refugees from the United States and suspending travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, stirring protests at home and abroad.

Trump immigration ban loses first legal battle

Responding to a question from opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, May told parliament: "If he's asking me whether I had advance notice of the ban on refugees, the answer is 'no.'

"If he's asking me if I had advance notice that the executive order could affect UK citizens, the answer is 'no.' If he's asking if I had advance notice of the travel restrictions, the answer is 'we all did' because President Trump said he was going to do this in his election campaign."