Theresa May attacks Donald Trump over refusal to condemn white supremacists

Theresa May has attacked Donald Trump for refusing to condemn neo-Nazis after violent protests in the US city of Charlottesville in which a woman was killed.

The Prime Minister said those in power have a responsibility to make it clear that “profound fascist views” are unacceptable.

She spoke out after the US President suggested that “both sides” were responsible for clashes.

Today Mrs May said: “I absolutely abhor the racism, the hatred and the violence that we have seen portrayed by these groups.”

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.

Mr Trump has wavered in his stance over extremist right-wingers, many of whom support his troubled presidency.

His widely criticised first response to the clashes condemned “hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides” after the car attack came during clashes in Charlottesville.

He later made a more conventional statement, branding members of the KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists who took part as “criminals and thugs”.

But in his most recent public appearance, he again insisted there was “blame on both sides”.