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LONDON (AP) — Donald Trump doesn't have many fans in Britain's Parliament.
But a debate among lawmakers today on whether to ban Trump from the country revealed that there's little support for that idea.
During the three-hour debate, legislators from Britain's main parties stood to call Trump an attention-seeker, a demagogue and a fool. Many, though, argued that he should not be stifled or banned.
Labour Party legislator Paul Flynn, who opened the session, said Trump had already received "far too much attention."
Parliament took up the topic after half a million people signed a petition calling for Trump to be excluded over his call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States in the wake of extremist violence. Trump has also claimed that some areas of Britain are so radicalized that police fear for their lives.
Under British law, any petition supported by 100,000 people — who must each provide and confirm an email address — is considered for parliamentary debate.
%@AP Links
199-a-13-(Paul Flynn, Labour MP (member of Parliament), during debate on blocking Donald Trump from entering Britain)-"loud voice indeed"-Labour Party Member of Parliament Paul Flynn says the proposal to ban Donald Trump from the U.K. comes directly from the British people. Under British law any online petition backed by 100,000 people--who must provide and confirm an email address--must be considered for parliamentary debate.) (18 Jan 2016)
<<CUT *199 (01/18/16)££ 00:13 "loud voice indeed"
APPHOTO LKW116: Big Ben in the Elizabeth Tower is seen through railings, at Britain's Parliament buildings in Westminster in London, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016. A proposal to ban Donald Trump from the United Kingdom because of his comment to ban Muslims from entering the United States drew a lively debate Monday in the British Parliament. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) (18 Jan 2016)
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