Ban Donald Trump from UK gets massive public support

A petition calling for US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump to be banned from entering Britain has surpassed 500,000 signatures.

The petition posted on Parliament's website on Tuesday says the "UK has banned entry to many individuals for hate speech" and argues the same criteria should be "fairly applied to the rich as well as the poor, and the weak as well as the powerful."

The petition follows Trump's racist and offensive speeches including his call to bar Muslims except US citizens abroad from entering the United States. The GOP presidential hopeful made the call after a shooting last week in San Bernardino, California that has been linked to terrorism.

Trump's proposal drew international condemnations as well as from both Republicans and Democrats. British Prime Minister David Cameron called it "divisive" and "unhelpful."

Chancellor George Osborne has also criticized Trump's comments but rejected calls for him to be banned from the UK.

However, any petition receiving more than 100,000 signatures is automatically considered for a debate in parliament.

Trump is seeking the Republican nomination for next year's US presidential election. On Wednesday, he reiterated his proposal for " a total and complete shutdown" on all Muslims entering the United States. He also said that he would never leave the 2016 race, despite the volume of calls for him to step aside.

The UK’s home ministry has the power to bar people from entering Britain if they are engaged in unacceptable behavior. It has banned individuals for fostering hatred in the past.

However, the Downing Street has said it is not aware of any plans for the billionaire businessman to visit, so any question of a ban on him coming to Britain is "hypothetical".

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