In a rare turn, Theresa May has condemned Donald Trump following his comments on the violent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville.
Trump refused to condemn white supremacists and Neo-Nazi’s as actively inciting racial hatred, saying: “You had a group on one side that was bad. You had a group on the other side that was also very violent. Nobody wants to say that. I’ll say it right now.”
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the arrival of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, May said: “I see no equivalence between those who propound fascist views and those who oppose them. I think it is important for all those in positions of responsibility to condemn far-right views wherever we hear them.”
Despite anger from MPs and Ministers at Trump’s comments, May has said the state visit from Donald Trump will go ahead.
Lib Dem leader, Vince Cable, has called for the invitation of a state visit to be rescinded since the President’s remarks.
“Donald Trump has shown he is unable to detach himself from the extreme right and racial supremacists. The fact he remains highly dependent on White House advisers from the extreme right shows he is firmly anchored in this detestable worldview.
“It would be completely wrong to have this man visit the UK on a state visit.”
Similarly, Jeremy Corbyn has expressed anger over the US Presidents comments, saying: “What happened was a group of the far right turned up in Charlottesville – KKK supporters, Nazis, white supremacists – in order to cause trouble. A group of people objected to their presence and there is no equivalence between both sides. I can find nothing decent about anything the KKK or Nazis say or have ever said.
“Surely for goodness sake have we not learnt the lessons of what happened in the earlier part of the 20th century, surely we have learned the lessons of the brave people that marched from Selma to Montgomery, there can be no return to those days.
“I hope President Trump will recognise he is the president of the United States. And that includes all of the people of the United States.”
But No 10 that the offer of a state visit had been “extended and accepted”.
Read more about Trump’s comments and further controversies here.