King’s security for US state visit to be reviewed after shooting at Trump dinner
The King’s security is being reviewed ahead of his state visit to the US next week after a gunman stormed a Washington dinner attended by Donald Trump on Saturday night.
The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was thrown into chaos on Saturday night following an attempted attack in which the US President, along with other senior members of his administration, were quickly evacuated by Secret Service agents.
Speaking about the attempted attack, the prime minister’s chief secretary, Darren Jones, told Sky News: “As you can imagine, our teams alongside His Majesty the King have been working closely this week to ensure security arrangements are appropriately met.”
Asked by the BBC whether additional security measures would be taken ahead of the visit, Mr Jones said: “As you can imagine, the government and the Palace have already been working closely with their American counterparts ahead of the visit and there will be further discussions today before next week.”
He said: “Appropriate security will be provided in relation to the risk, yes.”
He also said the prime minister, who has an increasingly strained relationship with the US president as a result of Britain’s refusal to be dragged into the Iran war, sent a message “in solidarity” to Mr Trump after the incident.
Mr Jones said: “These are remarkable scenes. The Prime Minister sent a message to the President this morning in solidarity with the events.”
Sir Keir Starmer also wrote in a statement on social media: “I was shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner held overnight in Washington.
“Any attack on democratic institutions or press freedom must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. This is a great relief.” [the President]”The First Lady and all those present are safe,” he said.
The suspect, who was said to be carrying a shotgun and handgun, was identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California.
It is understood that he was a guest of the Washington Hilton hotel where the event was held. He faces charges including assaulting a police officer with a dangerous weapon, but acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said additional charges would be filed.
On his Truth Social platform, the president posted photos of the attacker being handcuffed to the ground after being taken into custody, calling it a “lone wolf job.”
Mr. Trump, attending the annual dinner for the first time as president, vowed at a late-night news conference after the shooting to reschedule the disrupted event, which he said had left political opponents and the media “united.”
The state visit, which begins at the end of the month, will mark the 250th anniversary of America’s independence and herald the start of celebrations across the US, with Charles and Camilla marking the milestone at a “block party”.
Charles and Camilla’s first meeting with the president and the First Lady at a private tea filmed only by cameras.
Later, Mr Trump and the King will hold talks in the White House’s famous Oval Office, while Camilla and Melania Trump will attend an event together.
Buckingham Palace said it did not comment on security matters.
