‘Abhorrent’ Trump post condemned
Downing Street has publicly condemned Donald Trump for sharing “dangerous” anti-muslim videos posted online by the deputy leader of far-right group Britain First.
The US president yesterdayre tweeted to his 44 million followers three posts
by Jayda Fransen, including unverified footage purporting to show Muslims committing crimes.
Fransen, 31, was convicted in November last year of religiously aggravated harassment for hurling abuse at a Muslim woman in a hijab.
She appeared to celebrate Mr Trump’s show of support, tweeting in response “GOD BLESS YOU TRUMP”.
Theresa May’s official spokesman criticised Mr Trump, but said a planned state visit by the foreign leader that has yet to be scheduled will not be cancelled.
He said: “Britain First seeks to divide communities through their use of hateful narratives, which peddle lies and stoke divisions.
“They cause anxiety to law abiding people. 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.
“It is wrong for the president to have done this.”
The issue was raised in Parliament yesterday where Cardiff South and Penarth MP Stephen Doughty called the posts “highly inflammatory”.
Fellow Labour MP Yvette Cooper said the president had given Mr Fransen a “huge platform”.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: “I hope our Government will condemn farright retweets by Donald Trump. They are abhorrent, dangerous and a threat to our society.”
The widower of MP Jo Cox, who was murdered by rightwing 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.”
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders would not comment on the veracity of the videos.
But she added: “The threat is real and that’s what the president is talking about… is the need for national security, the need for military spending.”