Trump today - as it happened: African nations demand US President apologises for 's***hole remarks'

Republican says he will not be coming to the UK amid criticism of his alleged comments about Haiti and other countries

Trump referred to Haitians and Africans as coming from ‘s***hole countries’

Donald Trump was embroiled in a row extending half-way around the world after reportedly using the term “shithole countries” to describe Haiti, El Salvador and unspecified African nations in a White House meeting about immigration.

Seeking to limit the fallout from the reported comments, the US President described his language as “tough” but denied using a vulgar slur.

The controversy came as he announced he was cancelling his visit to the UK and will now not be travelling London as expected to open the new US embassy next month.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said the US President had backed down in the face of huge public opposition in Britain and the likelihood of widespread protests.

Mr Trump is quoted as having asked: “Why are we having all these people from s***hole countries come here?"

The Republican said he had cancelled his London visit because of his opposition to the decision to move the US Embassy from Mayfair to Battersea.

MPs did not rush to express their disappointment, with many suggesting the real reason for the cancellation was British public opposition to the visit.

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband wrote in a tweet to Mr Trump: "It's because nobody wanted you to come. And you got the message."

Key Points

Donald Trump cancels planned trip to UK, citing embassy move

[12 January 2018 11:30 · Kristin Hugo]

Boris Johnson isn't holding back... Rather than condemning Donald Trump like almost everyone else has done, the Foreign Secretary has instead gone after Sadiq Khan, who he called a "puffed up pompous popinjay". He's just tweeted this...

[12 January 2018 11:43 · Kristin Hugo]

Just in... 

Downing Street has insisted Donald Trump is "welcome" in the UK and said it was "confident' he will visit at a later date.

Theresa May's spokesman said an invitation for a state visit had been extended and accepted and that details will be confirmed "in due course".

[12 January 2018 11:45 · Kristin Hugo]

This from our Political Editor, Joe Watts:

It was unclear this morning as to whether Downing Street was aware that Mr Trump was about to cancel the visit to open the embassy, with Theresa May’s spokesman limiting himself to saying that no date had ever been confirmed.

He said: “The opening of the US embassy is a matter for the US.

“The US is one of our oldest and most valued allies and our strong and deep relationship will endure.”

[12 January 2018 11:48 · Kristin Hugo]

More on Boris Johnson's, shall we say, consensus-defying response to the row about Donald Trump's comments and the cancellation of his UK visit.

Instead of distancing the UK Government from Mr Trump's "racist" remarks, the Foreign Secretary launched a blistering attack on Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan, as Ashley Cowburn reports:

[12 January 2018 12:09 · Kristin Hugo]

The White House refused to deny Donald Trump made the comments about "s***hole countries" attributed to him.

Instead, spokesman Raj Shah said in a statement:

"Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people.

Like other nations that have merit-based immigration, President Trump is fighting for permanent solutions that make our country stronger by welcoming those who can contribute to our society, grow our economy and assimilate into our great nation."

[12 January 2018 12:18 · Kristin Hugo]

Fox News presenters have also been defending the US President's comments. Commentator Jesse Watters said they were an example of how Mr Trump "relates to people" while host Tucker Carlson suggested the Republican's description of some countries had been accurate.

More from Tom Embury-Dennis here:

[12 January 2018 12:24 · Kristin Hugo]

Here's Fox News host Tucker Carlson's response in more detail...

[12 January 2018 12:42 · Kristin Hugo]

Breaking...

Donald Trump has denied the "s***hole" comments attributed to him, although admitted using "tough" language during a meeting on immigration.

He's just tweeted this...

[12 January 2018 12:46 · Kristin Hugo]

Haiti is reported to have summoned a US official to explain Donald Trump's alleged comments and Botswana is now said to have followed suit, according to France24.

[12 January 2018 13:13 · Kristin Hugo]

More on Donald Trump's denial that he called Haiti and other countries "s***holes", courtesy of Jon Sharman...