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Saturday, January 28, 2017

Theresa May refuses to condemn Donald Trump's immigration controls

Theresa May has refused to condemn Donald Trump when asked by Sky News about his new ban on refugees and controls on travellers from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

The Prime Minister tried to avoid commenting on the controversial policyduring a news conference with her Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim.

On Friday Mrs May became the first foreign leader to visit the White House since Mr Trump's inauguration - and talked stateside about their shared values.

The new controls were announced after the PM left Washington DC and she was asked by Sky News whether she still believed she shared the values of President Trump.

But while Mr Yildirim criticised the visa restrictions, Mrs May at first dodged the question.

She said: "I was very pleased to visit Washington and hold the discussions I did with President Trump yesterday.

"On the issue of refugees I've recognised the contribution Turkey has made in hosting and supporting three million refuges as a result of the Syrian conflict.

"The UK also has a good record in that we have developed a number of schemes for resettlement from the region.

"The UK is the second largest bilateral donor outside the region in terms of money we've put into this issue."

Mr Trump said he was making America safe from "radical Islamic terrorists" as he signed the executive order restricting travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Under pressure from British reporters, Mrs May eventually said: "The United States is responsible for the United States policy on refugees. The United Kingdom is responsible for the United Kingdom's policy on refugees."

Her Turkish counterpart Mr Yildirim told Sky News: "This refugee issue is a global issue. We have 55 million refuges worldwide and we know there are 200 UN member states. This number is higher than the population of 150 of the member states.

"We cannot turn a blind eye to this issue and you cannot settle this issue by constructing walls."

Reacting to Mrs May's comments, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "President Trump's executive order against refugees and Muslims should shock and appal us all.

"Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning his actions. It should sadden our country that she chose not to.

"After Trump's hideous actions and May's weak failure to condemn them, it's more important than ever for us to say to refugees seeking a place of safety, that they will always be welcome in Britain."

Turkey has taken three million refugees as a result of the Syrian conflict.

Mr Yildirim added: "They came here to save their lives. Our doors were open and if the same thing were to happen again we would do the same. If there is someone in need you give them a helping hand.

"We will continue accommodating these people until there is peace there."

The news conference came after Mrs May announced a £100m deal for the development of fighter jets for Turkey, following trade talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.



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