British authorities to build steel wall to protect Trump during visit: Report

In this file photo taken on July 13, 2018 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (C) stands with US President Donald Trump (R) and US First Lady Melania Trump (L) in the Grand Corridor at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London during an engagement on the second day of Trump's UK visit. (AFP photo)

British authorities are planning a massive wall at the site of a World War ll memorial to protect US President Donald Trump during his state visit to the location in June as public outrage about the controversial trip continues to grow.

The leader of the local council in the southern English city of Portsmouth revealed on Thursday that authorities will encircle the location of events to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in the city with two steel layers of security fencing to prevent the public from reaching the site where Trump will be present along the British queen to attend the memorial.

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, a Liberal Democrat, expressed his huge fury at the plans, saying it would deprive the public from paying their tribute to the war veterans.

“The ceremony itself will be behind solid steel barrier walls so people won't be able to see into it and it will now be invite-only,” said Vernon-Jackson, adding that the UK government was clearly worried about protests against Trump which could affect the memorial.

Heads of state of the 14 nations involved in D-Day, the day in 1944 which marked the start of a battle to liberate north-west Europe from German occupation, will also be present in the memorial ceremony, officials have confirmed.
However, authorities have ramped up security measures ahead of Trump’s visit to the UK, which is planned for June 3-5, as a growing number of politicians and campaigners have called for huge protests in the capital London and other cities.

The palace of the British queen and the government office confirmed on Monday that Trump will come to the UK for a full state visit, meaning that massive formalities and government hospitality will be involved.

It comes less than a year after Trump travelled to the UK for a working visit against the backdrop of public criticism.

Members of the parliament and notable figures have said the US president should not be welcomed in the UK given his grim records in office.

Critics insist the visit will be a huge waste of government money given that some 18 million pounds were spent policing protests against Trump in his last visit to the UK.