British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday formally rejected a petition seeking to downgrade the status of United States President Donald Trump’s visit to the United Kingdom. In its official response, May’s government said that while it recognised the “strong views expressed” by the over 18-lakh signatories to the petition, it did not support its demands, PTI reported.

“We look forward to welcome President Trump once dates and arrangements are finalised,” the response said. The invitation extended to Trump during May’s visit to Washington underscored “the importance of the relationship” between the two countries.

The petition sought to downgrade the status of the visit from an official state visit to a head of government trip. The petition said a full state visit “would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen”. “Donald Trump’s well documented misogyny and vulgarity disqualifies him from being received by Her Majesty the Queen or the Prince of Wales,” the petition says.

Several British MPs are reportedly in favour of banning Trump, arguing that he could incite tension between various communities in Britain.