Police force waits to be reimbursed for Trump visit

Thames Valley Police is still waiting to be reimbursed the £900,000 it spent on policing Donald Trump's visit to meet King Charles in Windsor six months ago.

The force's police and crime commissioner (PCC) said this was not just bad news for its own budget, but for taxpayers across the region.

However, a recent decision by the government to reimburse the local council for the money it spent on hosting the US President has raised hopes it will get its funds back too.

The Home Office said: "Thames Valley Police will receive additional costs linked to this state visit, and these will be recovered through standard major‑event procedures."

The police force was on high alert for the US president's trip to Windsor last autumn when he and his wife were hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

As the local force, Thames Valley was not able to claim back the costs of police time, running up a bill of about £900,000 in the process, money it is yet to get back from the Home Office.

Matthew Barber, the force's Conservative police and crime commissioner, said: "It's not fair on taxpayers in the Thames Valley, whether they're from Windsor or they're in Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire.

"The loss of nearly £1m to local policing matters to everybody in the long run".

While the police are still waiting to be reimbursed for hosting visits to Windsor by the French and German presidents too, another organisation involved has received better news.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead had threatened to pull its support for a visit by the Nigerian President later this month.

But with the government confirming it will now repay the £350,000 costs the borough ran up previously, it will man the event as planned.

Lynne Jones, the council's deputy leader, said: "It has taken several months of negotiations and I absolutely welcome this news. It's good for the borough and it's good for the borough's residents".

PCC Barber believes this decision could help him with his push to get the Home Office to reimburse his force's costs.

He said: "I'm really pleased for the Royal Borough that they are getting their money back.

"I do think that this is a sign that there may be some movement from the government.

"We will keep the pressure up on the Home Office because it's not fair for taxpayers in the Thames Valley."

The Home Office said it would refund the money Thames Valley Police spent on previous state visits.

It added: "With the upcoming state visit by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in mind, we can also confirm, for reflection if raised, that Thames Valley Police will receive funding to cover additional costs linked to that visit."