<<Print>>

A giant balloon dubbed “Trump baby” has been given the green light to fly near parliament during the president’s UK visit.

London mayor Sadiq Khan’s Greater London Authority has approved a request for the flight after thousands signed a petition and a crowd funding campaign raised more than £16,000 to get the six-metre inflatable off the ground.

Strict rules are in place for the flight from Parliament Square Gardens, with the balloon being tethered to the ground and restricted from floating higher than 30m (98ft).

It will fly between 9.30am and 11.30am on Friday 13 July – coinciding with the president’s visit to the UK and a “Stop Trump” march in central London.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The Mayor supports the right to peaceful protest and understands that this can take many different forms.

“His city operations team have met with the organisers and have given them permission to use Parliament Square Garden as a grounding point for the blimp.”

Campaigners say the Met Police are in charge of local airspace on the day, have seen their plans and are currently happy for the flight to go ahead – but maintain a right of veto on the day.

The group behind the stunt – who call themselves anti-fascist “art activists” – are now liaising with the Met and the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure airspace over London is managed safely on the day.

Activist Leo Murray told Sky News: “We didn’t get off to the best start with the Mayor’s office over this, who originally told us that they didn’t recognise Trump Baby as legitimate protest.

“But following a huge groundswell of public support for our plan, it looks like City Hall has rediscovered its sense of humour. Trump Baby will fly!”

Mr Murray has described the balloon as an “obscene mutant clone of the president” and says it will “hold up a huge mirror of truth” to the world.

Describing Mr Trump as a “dangerous excuse for a president”, the group’s spokesperson, Nona Hurkmans, said: “We are just a small group of friends who set out to show that fascists are not welcome in the UK.

“We have been genuinely overwhelmed and touched by the incredible levels of support we have received for our project.”