THE biggest security operation seen in Britain will be mounted when President Bush makes a state visit to stay with the Queen in November.

The visit, from November 19 to 21, is certain to provoke huge anti-war protests.

It has been planned for more than a year but could have been better timed for Tony Blair, raising the spectre of the Iraq war when he might have hoped that it was beginning to fade from public memory. It could also coincide with the publication of the Hutton report.

Andrew Murray, of the Stop the War Coalition, said last night: “Millions of Britons who opposed the war which George Bush dragged us into will be horrified at this news and believe the invitation should be rescinded immediately. If he does visit Britain, he will be met by demonstrations and protests every day.”

Mr Bush and his wife Laura will stay at Buckingham Palace. It is the first time that such a trip by an American president has been dubbed a “state visit”, although the Palace said that the Bushes would receive the same treatment as their predecessors, who include the Kennedys, President Nixon, the Reagans, Mr Bush’s parents and the Clintons.

Up to 250 armed officers will protect the President. They will be drawn from Special Branch, the Royalty Protection and Diplomatic groups and Scotland Yard’s SO19 firearms unit. David Veness, head of counter-terrorist and security operations in London, will be in charge.

A team of Special Branch officers will be responsible for the President’s close protection, working with his US Secret Service team. A number of the Americans will be armed with heavy-calibre hand guns. The senior Special Branch officer will always be close to the President, travelling in his armoured Cadillac.

A contingent of American bodyguards will follow immediately behind in a convoy of a dozen or more vehicles and armed Scotland Yard motorcycle escorts.

In coming days, the first of several advance teams will arrive in Britain. This will include officials from the White House, State Department and Secret Service, and a photographer who will take detailed pictures of every venue looking for possible sniper perches. Where he is here, the President will be accompanied by a retinue of around 900.

Mr Bush is likely to have several meetings with Mr Blair, as well as meeting leaders of commerce and industry, and attending a state banquet.

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