DOWNING Street has slapped down Donald Trump, insisting he was "wrong" to share anti-Muslim videos posted online by the deputy leader of far-right group Britain First.
The SNP leadership suggested the US President’s behaviour was outrageous and underlined how it would be inappropriate for him to be given a state visit to Britain.
On Wednesday, Mr Trump retweeted to his 43.6 million followers three posts by Jayda Fransen, including unverified footage purporting to show Muslims committing crimes.
In the first direct condemnation of the President since he took office, Theresa May’s spokesman, noting how Britain First sought to divide communities through its use of "hateful narratives which peddle lies and stoke tensions," declared: "It is wrong for the President to have done this."
The spokesman explained Britain First caused “anxiety to law-abiding people", noting: "British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudiced rhetoric of the Far Right, which is the antithesis of the values that this country represents: decency, tolerance and respect."
However, he made clear the invitation to the White House for a state visit to the UK was unaffected by the controversy.
"The invitation for a state visit has been extended and accepted. Further details will be announced in due course," added the spokesman.
The posts shared by Mr Trump included unverified videos entitled "Muslim migrant beats up Dutch boy on crutches!" and "Muslim Destroys a Statue of Virgin Mary!"
Fransen, 31, who was convicted last November of religiously aggravated harassment for hurling abuse at a Muslim woman in a hijab, appeared to celebrate the President's actions, tweeting moments later: "GOD BLESS YOU TRUMP".
Earlier in the Commons, Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary, did not immediately respond when Labour MPs raised the issue. Welsh MP Stephen Doughty called the posts "highly inflammatory" while his Labour colleague Yvette Cooper said the President had given Fransen a "huge platform".
Some MPs shouted "go on, stand up" at Ms Rudd stayed in her seat.
Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "I hope our Government will condemn Far Right retweets by Donald Trump. They are abhorrent, dangerous and a threat to our society."
And the widower of MP Jo Cox, who was murdered by Right-wing extremist Thomas Mair as he shouted "Britain first", was among those who condemned the posts.
Brendan Cox tweeted: "Trump has legitimised the Far Right in his own country, now he's trying to do it in ours. Spreading hatred has consequences & the President should be ashamed of himself."
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, was equally condemnatory, saying: “We have long taken the view that it’s absolutely inappropriate for Donald Trump to be afforded a state visit to the UK and what we have seen with the retweeting of extremist, offensive videos with racist overtones absolutely underlines it would not be appropriate for him to be afforded a state visit to the UK.
“The behaviour of the President outrages opinion in this country. It’s important that we as politicians send a message that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable.”
The Highland MP added: “We must and will always respect the office of the President but there is a difference between respecting the office of the President and of the individual, who currently occupies that office.”
Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrats’ deputy leader, said: “The mask has yet again slipped, revealing the atrocious views of President Trump. It is incredibly dangerous for someone in his position of responsibility to sow such division and hatred at every turn.”
The MP for East Dunbartonshire added: “Trump needs to do the world a favour and delete his account.”
In Washington, Sarah Sanders, the White House Press Secretary, told reporters she would not comment on the veracity of the videos but said: "The threat is real and that's what the President is talking about...the need for national security, the need for military spending and those are very real things; there's nothing fake about that."
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