UK, US in dispute over Trump's tweets

The United States and the United Kingdom have become embroiled in an unprecedented diplomatic dispute after US President Donald Trump retweeted a series of anti-Muslim videos promoted by a tiny British extremist organization.

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said the president was wrong to promote the videos, prompting Trump to angrily reply via Twitter. "Don't focus on me, focus on the destructive radical Islamic terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine!"

The videos were initially posted by Jayda Fransen, deputy leader of Britain First, a fringe anti-Muslim group who was elated by the endorsement of the US president.

May's spokesman said that Britain First seeks to divide communities by their use of hateful narratives that peddle lies and stoke tension. "They cause anxiety to law-abiding people. British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudiced rhetoric of the far right which is the antithesis of the values this country represents, decency, tolerance and respect," he said.

Brendan Cox, whose wife, Member of Parliament Jo Cox, was stabbed to death last year by an extremist who screamed "Britain First" during the attack, also condemned Trump.

Cox wrote on Twitter: "You have a mass shooting every single day in your country, your murder rate is many times that of the UK, your healthcare system is a disgrace, you can't pass anything through a Congress that you control. I would focus on that."

UK education secretary Justine Greening said the UK and US have a long-standing relationship as allies and told the BBC: "I don't think we should allow this tweet to undermine that in any way."

May had invited Trump to the UK for a state visit but there is immense opposition to it.

angus@mail.chinadailyuk.com

(China Daily 12/01/2017 page11)