I fear that amid all the synthetic, orchestrated opposition to President Trump ‘s state visit one or two salient facts have been neglected or suppressed.

For all his eccentricity (merely irritating to us) he is the elected leader of the world’s greatest democracy and a very important trade and security partner. Over the years the Queen has had to entertain many bloodsoaked and corrupt dictatorsfor-life,who share none of our values, without demur from and usually at the behest of our political class.

Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth have more in common than just being heads of state of major English speaking democracies; both their mothers were Scottish with many generations of native Scots behind them. Both take a close interest in the affairs of the properties they own in Aberdeenshire.

I have the distinct impression that the complainers are just seizing on anything that can be used to distract the Government from its main job of getting us out of the EU.

A V Martin, Westfield Close, Wigginton, York