Laura Kuenssberg's stern questioning of Donald Trump angers president's supporters
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg has been praised and condemned on social media following her stern questioning of Donald Trump during the US president's joint press conference with Prime Minister Theresa May.
Invited to pose a question to both leaders, Ms Kuenssberg raised a number of issues that have caused consternation in the UK, saying: "Mr President, you've said before that torture works, you've praised Russia, you've said you want to ban some Muslims from coming to America, you've suggested there should be punishment for abortion.
"For many people in Britain those sound like alarming beliefs. What do you say to our viewers at home who are worried about some of your views and worried about you becoming the leader of the free world?"
Mr Trump pointed to Ms Kuenssberg and turned to Mrs May, saying: "This was your choice of a question?"
He then leaned in to the microphone and joked: "There goes that relationship."
His response prompted laughter in the room - but some viewers criticised the BBC journalist's questioning as "rude":
@BBCWorld@BBCNews I thought the BBC question was rude & I felt embarrassed
— wendy hayward (@xxmisswendyxx) 27 January 2017
@BBCDanielS The BBC question was an embarrassment and extremely rude. Sounded like a crusading sixth form student.
— JL Foxsten (@JLFoxsten) 27 January 2017
@bbclaurak Shame on this reporter, and shame on the BBC. They do not represent the British people. Rude and disrespectful. Pathetic bias!
— Deplorable Ben (@MrBenPen) 27 January 2017
disrespectful, passive aggressive and inappropriate questioning from @bbclaurak congrats, you've tarnished the reputation of the BBC in USA
— 462 (@vastmajority22) 27 January 2017
I guess @bbclaurak speaks for the people of Britain in the same way @lilyallen apologises for the people of Britain. Not in my name.
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) January 27, 2017
Many others tweeted their support for Ms Kuenssberg:
Good for @bbclaurak showing how - albeit very politely - journalists can bring up unwelcome elements of politics in press conferences
— Patrick Kidd (@patrick_kidd) January 27, 2017
When British media get 2 questions at a press conference you have to get a lot into one. Well done @bbclaurak
— Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@krishgm) January 27, 2017
THANK YOU @bbclaurak for saying what so desperately needed to be said. SUCH a disappointing response from #TheresaMay. https://t.co/PbZAF7HIKY
— Catherine Hall (@CatherineHall10) January 27, 2017
Well done @bbclaurak superb question......no holds barred, unlike the softballs from the US press.
— Kenny (@joebones40) January 27, 2017
Succinct, pithy, fearless, brilliant from @bbclaurakhttps://t.co/GMnGFiDrx7
— chris barnes (@cjbarnesuk) January 27, 2017
In further response to Ms Kuenssberg's question, Mr Trump repeated his belief that torture does work, but said he would leave the final decision to his defence secretary James Mattis.
On Russia he admitted he does not know the country's president Vladimir Putin well, but he expressed his hope for a "fantastic relationship" between the two nations.
Mr Trump said he could not predict how good a relationship he would have with other countries.
Smiling, he added: "Theresa, we never know about those things, do we?"
He finished by saying: "I will tell you one thing, I will be representing the American people very strongly."
In brief | Donald Trump on the UK