Watch live: UK MPs debate banning Donald Trump from the UK

Donald Trump has previously referred to Mexicans as "rabid dogs" (Getty/Scott Olson)

MPs are debating whether or not US Republican politician Donald Trump should be banned from entering the United Kingdom.

Mr Trump sparked anger across Britain after he called for a complete ban on Muslims travelling to America, a policy that was branded “racist” and against the US constitution.

Watch the debate live, via Parliament TV

The Home Secretary has the power to ban individuals from entering the country on security grounds. These powers have been used before by the Government to bar people with extremist views from coming to the UK before.

The debate is taking place in Westminster Hall, rather than the House of Commons or House of Lords. It started at 16.00 on Monday 18 January.

The debate was triggered after over 100,000 people signed a petition to restrict Mr Trumps entry to Britain following his earlier comments. A Committee of MPs decided that the issue should be put up for debate.