UK politicians react with shock to attack on Trump

UK politicians have reacted with shock to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer led the condemnation, saying he was “appalled” and Conservative leader Rishi Sunak posted on social media that he was “horrified”.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, sister of murdered MP Jo Cox, said the attack was “shocking and deeply disturbing and deeply upsetting”.

Trump ally and Reform MP Nigel Farage said he was “very upset” but “not shocked”.

There has been a global outcry in the wake of the shooting, which is being treated by US authorities as an assassination attempt.

One man at the rally in Pennsylvania was killed and two other men critically injured, in what is the most serious attempt on a president or presidential candidate’s life since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

The suspect, who has been identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, of Bethel Park in Pennsylvania, was killed by security services.

The prime minister has sent his best wishes to the former president and said: “Political violence in any form has no place in our societies.”

Tory leader Rishi Sunak said: “Violence and intimidation must never be allowed to prevail.”

Labour MP Lucy Powell, Leader of the House of Commons, told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show that the attack was “appalling”, adding that the thoughts of the British government and people were with the US.

“This is a horrific incident which we condemn completely and fulsomely,” she said.

Mr Farage, who regularly campaigns alongside the former president, told the Laura Kuenssberg show: “I’m obviously pleased that my friend Donald has got away with it, only just, but he’s got away with it.

“But one person is dead, two more are fighting for their lives in hospital so it’s an absolutely horrendous incident and yet somehow I’m not shocked by it.

“The narrative that is put out there about Trump by the liberals that oppose him is so nasty… that I think it almost encourages this type of behaviour.”

Pressed by Ms Kuenssberg on whether US Republicans have a responsibility to help create a better political environment, Mr Farage agreed, saying: “That’s right”, adding that all sides had a part to play.

Since the assassination attempt, which President Biden condemned, his team has been pulling election advertisements critical of Trump.

The White House has confirmed the president was briefed on the attack and spoke to Mr Trump several hours after the shooting.

President Biden has called the shooting “sick”, adding: “There’s no place in America for this type of violence.”

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, whose sister Jo Cox MP was murdered at work in her constituency eight years ago, was asked about the attack by Ms Kuenssberg.

“We’ve got to have that conversation about what a civilised democracy looks like,” she said. “I’ve been having it since Jo was killed.

“I sadly feel that we’re not making huge amounts of progress in this country, in other countries, and we have got to keep having that conversation.”

She added: “We all have a responsibility for what comes out of our mouths.”

Foreign Secretary David Lammy added his condemnation of the US attack, saying the government “condemns all forms of political violence in the strongest terms”.

Former Tory PM Boris Johnson said it was “a miracle that Donald Trump escaped an attempted assassination” and added that the incident reminded him of “the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason”.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey tweeted: “Political violence is wrong… We must all condemn this appalling attempt on Donald Trump’s life.”