The UK government is considering inviting US President-elect Donald Trump for a state visit, Downing Street has said.

The Republican, who beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the election earlier this month, is due to take office on 20 January.

Earlier this year, MPs debated the idea of banning Mr Trump from the UK.

But the government has stressed the importance of maintaining the “special relationship” between the countries.

Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokeswoman said: “An invitation for a state visit is one of the things that is under consideration following the election of a new US president. One of the issues under consideration is the 2017 state visits.”

State visits are formal trips to the UK by foreign heads of state from overseas. There are normally two a year and invitations are sent on the advice of the Foreign Office.

 

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-38051579