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01st Jun 2019

Donald Trump baby balloon will once again soar above London during president’s state visit

James Dawson

Sadiq Khan has granted permission for the balloon depicting Donald Trump as a baby to fly in Westminster during the US president’s visit to the UK.

The 20-foot Donald Trump baby balloon that the president said last year made him feel “unwelcome” in London will once again fly when he makes a state visit to the UK next week.

The Sadiq Khan led Greater London Authority has granted permission for the balloon to be flown over Parliament Square on Tuesday, the second day of Trump’s visit. The balloon depicts the Republican president as an angry baby, wearing a nappy and tweeting on a mobile phone.

The three-day visit will kick off on Monday, the day the balloon is flown will see Trump having breakfast at St James’s Palace with Theresa May and British business leaders.

Anna Vickerstaff, a member of the team behind the balloon, said: “Now that the GLA has given us permission, we’re almost ready to fly the baby.

“All we need now is for the public to help us to hit our fundraiser target in support of the groups who are fighting the impacts of Trump’s disastrous policies.

“We’ve promised to get the baby in the air again – but only if and when we raise money for these groups.

“We’re all for making a joke out of Trump, but we won’t let the opportunity pass to support those fighting the very serious impacts of what he’s doing.”

A spokesperson for the Greater London Authority said its City Operations Unit grant permission for its flight after it was “carefully assessed” by officials.

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