Theresa May refuses to cancel Donald Trump visit after controversial neo-Nazi comments

Politicians across the UK have condemned Donald Trump for his response to the violence in Charlottesville last weekend which left 3 people dead.

Yesterday, the U.S. President controversially claimed that there was blame on both sides after clashes between neo-Nazis and anti-fascists.

He also appeared to support the original cause of the protest – which saw far right activists descend on Charlottesville over plans to remove a statue of Confederate general Robert E.Lee.

Now, he has been roundly condemned by UK politicians, with some leading renewed calls to cancel a proposed state visit to the UK.

Posting on Twitter, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid wrote: ‘Neo-Nazis: bad, Anti-Nazis: good, I learned that as a child. It was pretty obvious.’

His comments were backed by Prisons Secretary Sam Gyimah, who wrote: ‘The ‘leader of the free world’ loses moral authority when he cannot call fascism by its name.’

Theresa May also spoke out against the actions of the far-right – but she stopped short of explicitly condemning Mr Trump’s comments. No 10 has also refused to cancel the President’s visit.

The Prime Minister said: “I see no equivalence between those who propound fascist views and those who oppose them.

“I think it’s important for all those in positions of responsibility to condemn far right views wherever we hear them.”

Labour MP Chris Bryant was among those leading calls for Theresa May to cancel Donald Trump’s proposed state visit to the UK.

He wrote: ‘May cd rescue smidgen of moral authority now by rescinding Trump invite. After all US immigration ask ‘are u or have u ever been a Nazi?”

He added: ‘I’ve looked at Trump from both sides now From up and down, and still somehow It’s Nazi hatred I recall I really don’t trust Trump at all’

Sir Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat leader, supported the call, saying: “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.”

They were backed by Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood, who wrote: ‘A new low. Sickening. When will UK Govt admit he should never had been invited for a state visit?’

In June, it was reported that Donald Trump told Theresa May he will not make a state visit to Britain until there is support for it from the British public.

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It is claimed that he held a phone call with the Prime Minister, telling her that he did not wish to come if his arrival will be met by protests.