Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2025

Boris Johnson condemns 'disgraceful scenes' in US

Boris Johnson condemns 'disgraceful scenes' in US

Boris Johnson has condemned the "disgraceful scenes" in the US, where protesters stormed Congress.

Supporters of President Donald Trump breached the Capitol building where lawmakers met to confirm President-elect Joe Biden's election win.

The PM said the US "stands for democracy around the world", and it was "vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power".

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was a "direct attack on democracy".

And Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, called the events "utterly horrifying".

Friend of President Trump and leader of Reform UK - formerly the Brexit Party - Nigel Farage tweeted: "Storming Capitol Hill is wrong. The protesters must leave."

The US Congress has now reconvened after the violence - spurred on by Mr Trump's unproven claims of electoral fraud - to certify Joe Biden's victory in the US election in November

Hundreds of the president's supporters stormed the Capitol, and staged an occupation of the building in Washington DC.

Both chambers of Congress were forced in to recess, as protesters clashed with police and tear gas was released.

A woman who was shot during the protests later died.

UK MPs from across the political spectrum have criticised the events in the US.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said there was "no justification for these violent attempts to frustrate the lawful and proper transition of power", while Home Secretary Priti Patel called the scenes "unacceptable and undemocratic".

She added: "There is no justification for this violence and Donald Trump must condemn it."

Her Conservative colleague, and former Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt directly addressed President Trump for telling the crowd to march on Congress, tweeting: "He shames American democracy tonight and causes its friends anguish - but he is not America."

Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner said: "The violence that Donald Trump has unleashed is terrifying, and the Republicans who stood by him have blood on their hands."

And shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said the events were "the legacy of a politics of hate that pits people against each other and threatens the foundations of democracy".


Meanwhile, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey has defended the prime minister's response to the rioting.

Asked on ITV's Peston programme why Mr Johnson hadn't criticised Mr Trump, she said: "The prime minister has been clear tonight that we need a peaceful and orderly transition."

Ms Coffey added that events in the US were an "reminder that democracy is something precious - and will only continue to thrive as long as we protect institutions that make this country important and not demean each other when the majority of what we want to achieve is similar outcomes".


Donald TVrump and Boris Johnson at a Nato summit in 2019

Meanwhile, the SNP's leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford, said the end of Mr Trump's presidency "cannot come quick enough".

He tweeted: "What a legacy the events of today are to his time in office. Shameful, shocking an affront to democracy."

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, called the scenes "absolutely horrendous", while his party's foreign affairs spokeswoman, Layla Moran, said: "The scenes coming out of Washington tonight are an attack on democracy."


Police place US Capitol Building on lockdown after Trump supporters breached security lines


Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
×