John Swinney declines Donald Trump's state banquet invite with Royals
John Swinney's party is expected to win 67 seats in the Scottish Parliament
The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, turned down Donald Trump's invitation to a state banquet at the White House with the King and Queen planned for next week.
The Scottish Government announced that Mr. Swinney "respectfully declined" the chance to attend the event on April 28.
A spokesperson for Mr. Swinney clarified that campaign commitments for the election kept him from going.
"President Trump extended an invitation to First Minister John Swinney for the State Banquet at the White House next week," they stated.
"Due to the election, the First Minister courteously turned down the invitation."
The Scottish elections are set for May 7, with pollsters suggesting the SNP is likely to secure a narrow majority.
His party is expected to win 67 seats in the Scottish Parliament, and he has begun advocating for a second independence referendum.
The First Minister has indicated that a victory would give him a mandate to negotiate with the Westminster government for another vote.
His choice to decline the US invitation comes despite his past engagement with the Trump administration.
Last September, he traveled to the White House to seek Scotch whisky tariffs exemptions from the US.
Only a week following that discussion, Mr. Swinney attended Mr. Trump’s state banquet at Windsor Castle on his second State Visit.
The First Minister has recently called for "de-escalation" with Iran following US military actions, warning against the dangers of such moves.
While advocating for Scottish independence, Mr. Swinney has supported keeping King Charles as the head of state should they exit the Union.
Soon after Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, he shared with the BBC: "Reflecting the mainstream stance on independence... My party believes that the monarch should be the head of state for an independent Scotland."
“That's what we supported in the 2014 referendum and remain committed to.”
Across the Atlantic, the King and Queen are about to start their visit to the US, honoring the 250th anniversary of American independence.
In Washington DC, they will have a confidential discussion with Mr. Trump ahead of the banquet.
The President praised the King as a "remarkable gentleman" last week, stating that his tense dealings with the Prime Minister would "not in any way" mar the monarch's visit.
Their tour also covers New York, where they will join a ceremony at the 9/11 memorial.
They will then proceed to Virginia and wrap up their journey in Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory.