Lawyer behind petition calling for cancelling Donald Trump's UK state visit could be disciplined by CPS
Petition said US president 'should not be invited to make an official State Visit because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The lawyer who started a petition calling on the UK Government to cancel Donald Trump's planned state visit could be disciplined by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Graham Guest, who works as a solicitor at the crown prosecutors' West Yorkshire office in Leeds, claimed the US President should not be invited to make an official state visit because "it would cause embarrassment" to the Queen.
Mr Guest's petition has been signed by 1.8m people and will be debated in Parliament on 20 February.
However, the CPS has suggested he could face disciplinary action.
A spokesman told The Times: “This issue will be considered in accordance with our human resources procedures and the CPS code of conduct."
The code of conduct states prosecutors must be "fair, independent and objective" and must not let the "political views" of suspects, witnesses or victims influence their decisions.
The spokesman refused to specify what the potential charges against Mr Guest would be, or comment on the available sanctions if he were found to have breached its code.
As his petition gained momentum last month, Mr Guest told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "He [Mr Trump] is a misogynist racist and he just seems to be completely incapable of running the richest, most powerful, country and it is a worry for everyone.
"I thought a state visit would legitimise his presidency in a way that it shouldn't be."
Downing Street confirmed Mr Trump's state visit will go ahead, despite the widespread outrage over his travel ban on seven predominately Muslim countries.
“An invitation has been extended and accepted,” a No 10 spokesman said, stressing the Government's position had not changed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments