Trump UK visit: Labour's Emily Thornberry launches scathing attack on 'racist' president ahead of official trip

'This president does not deserve the honour of a state visit. He is not welcome'

Labour's shadow foreign secretary has launched a scathing attack on Donald Trump accusing him of being a "racist and sexual predator", as she said he is "not welcome" in the UK.

Just three days before Air Force One touches down in London for the US president's official state visit, Emily Thornberry said she would join demonstrators in the capital opposed to Mr Trump's values.

Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has already rejected an invitation to a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on Monday with Mr Trump, the Queen, Theresa May and other high ranking officials.

In a video message release on Friday, Ms Thornberry said: "Next week the Tory government are going to roll out the red carpet for Donald Trump, a president who is destroying all the values that have always united Britain and America.

"Destroying the world order, the chances of a Palestinian state and our efforts to tackle climate change. He is trying to take away the rights of women worldwide to control our own bodies."

Labour's shadow foreign secretary, who has previously described Mr Trump as a "giant asteroid of awfulness", continued: "His words and his conduct betray him as a racist and a sexual predator. This president does not deserve the honour of a state visit. He is not welcome."

Earlier this month, Ms Thornberry said she would be "more than happy" to have a private meeting with the US president, alongside Mr Corbyn.

Speaking to the BBC about the decision to reject Buckingham Palace's invitation to the state banquet, she added: "I have a large number of things I want to say to him [Mr Trump], but I don't want to say those things to him in front of the Queen."

Her stinging remarks come after Mr Trump lavished praise on both Boris Johnson, the former foreign secretary running to succeed Ms May as prime minister, and Nigel Farage, who topped the polls with the newly-formed Brexit Party at the European elections on Monday.

Speaking outside the White House, the president was asked if he intended to visit the pair during his UK state visit next week."Nigel Farage is a friend of mine, Boris is a friend of mine, they're great people," he said.

"They're two very good guys, very interesting people," he continued, before remarking on Mr Farage's performance in the European elections. "And I think they're big powers over there, I think they've done a good job."

"I like them. They're friends of mine but I haven't thought about supporting them.Maybe it's not my business to support people. But I have a lot of respect for both of those men."