George Floyd protests: New Zealand ministers say Trump is racist

‘Today and every day we stand in solidarity with George Floyd’s family, friends and community who feel pain and fear about his untimely death at the hands of Minneapolis police’

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Greens leader James Shaw and Finance Minister Grant Robertson (Getty Images)

Two senior ministers in New Zealand have denounced Donald Trump as racist over his response on Twitter to protests over the murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis.

James Shaw and Marama Davidson, co-leaders of the Green Party, were asked their opinion of the US president’s comments as they entered Parliament in Wellington.

The pair, who are senior members in Jacinda Ardern’s governing coalition, were asked by reporters if they thought Mr Trump was racist.

Both answered: “I do.”

Their comments were confirmed by the Green Party’s press secretary, who told Stuff.co.nz their remarks were clear and spoke to their opinions. They said the party did not wish to add anything.

In a statement on Monday, Ms Davidson said: “Today and every day we stand in solidarity with George Floyd’s family, friends and community who feel pain and fear about his untimely death at the hands of Minneapolis police.”

It comes after Britain’s embassy in the US raised issues around the ongoing protests there with Mr Trump’s administration, including the treatment of British journalists by police, a spokesman for Boris Johnson said on Friday.

“Our embassy in the US has raised the issue of the protests with the US administration, including on behalf of British journalists who were subject to police action,” the prime minister’s spokesman said.

Floyd’s death last week has led to nationwide protests across the US, which have spread to other countries around the world.

In footage which has been shared widely online, a white police officer kneels on Floyd’s neck as he gasps for air and repeatedly says: “I can’t breathe.”

Four officers have since been charged over the death.

In the US, clashes have broken out between the police and protesters, with officers recorded firing tear gas and rubber bullets at crowds.