After a petition to ban Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump from the United Kingdom was signed by over half a million people on the official parliamentary petition site, the government has issued a response. While the U.K. isn't going to ban Trump any time soon, it says that it retains the ability to do so. The U.K. also found Trump's comments on Muslims as "divisive, unhelpful, and wrong."
For good reasons the Government does not routinely comment on individual immigration and exclusion decisions.
The Home Secretary may exclude a non-European Economic Area national from the UK if she considers their presence in the UK to be non-conducive to the public good.
The Home Secretary has said that coming to the UK is a privilege and not a right and she will continue to use the powers available to prevent from entering the UK those who seek to harm our society and who do not share our basic values.
Exclusion powers are very serious and are not used lightly. The Home Secretary will use these powers when justified and based on all available evidence.
The Prime Minister has made clear that he completely disagrees with Donald Trump’s remarks. The Home Secretary has said that Donald Trump’s remarks in relation to Muslims are divisive, unhelpful and wrong.
The Government recognises the strength of feeling against the remarks and will continue to speak out against comments which have the potential to divide our communities, regardless of who makes them. We reject any attempts to create division and marginalisation amongst those we endeavour to protect.
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron has been vocal in his dislike of Trump and his ideas.
If Trump were to be refused entry the United Kingdom, he would join a list that includes Busta Rhymes, Edward Snowden, Martha Stewart, and Shirley Phelps-Roper.