Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Donald Trump claims UK is hiding its 'massive Muslim problem'

It is the latest offensive remark after the Republican hopeful began the week calling for a ban on Muslim immigration to the US

Rose Troup Buchanan
Thursday 10 December 2015 14:36 GMT
Comments
(AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Donald Trump has claimed the UK is “trying hard to disguise their massive Muslim problem”.

The statement from the controversial Republican hopeful is the latest log on a bonfire of remarks that have brought almost wall-to-wall press coverage and near-international condemnation.

More than 400,000 people signing a petition asking parliament to ban Trump from entering the UK, after he called for a “complete shutdown” on Muslim immigration to the US on Monday.

He also said parts of London and Paris were “so radicalised” many police officers were “afraid for their very lives” when they entered.

The Metropolitan Police issued a statement flatly contradicting Trump’s remarks, noting: “We would not normally dignify such comments with a response, however, on this occasion we think it’s important to state to Londoners that Mr Trump could not be more wrong.”

Columnist Katie Hopkins, once condemned by the United Nations for describing refugees as “cockroaches”, also praised Trump’s remarks. She claimed Britain was "a radicalised nation and it does nobody any favours to deny the obvious"

Trump, 69, long considered an outside chance at the US presidency, has confounded pundits with his ability to profit in the polls from gaffes that would have derailed other candidates’ campaigns.

At the beginning of this week it appeared he was finally slipping behind in the polls – losing frontrunner to rival Ted Cruz – however, the coverage from his latest remarks would appear to indicate he is making up the lost ground among grassroots Republicans.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in