Donald Trumps’s defence of US gun policy and claim that a London hospital has blood-covered floors amid a spate of knife crime have been branded “ridiculous”.
Speaking at a pro-gun rally, the president described the British capital as having “unbelievably tough gun laws”, but said it is “getting used to” stabbings.
Mr Trump’s comments come ahead of a visit to the UK in July, although a trip to London has not been confirmed.
Mr Trump told the National Rifle Association (NRA) convention in Dallas, Texas: “I recently read a story that in London, which has unbelievably tough gun laws, a once very prestigious hospital right in the middle is like a war zone for horrible stabbing wounds.
“Yes that’s right, they don’t have guns, they have knives. And instead there’s blood all over the floors of this hospital. They say it’s as bad as a military war zone hospital.”
Making a stabbing motion with his hand, Mr Trump then said: “Knives, knives, knives.”
He added: “London hasn’t been used to that, they’re getting used to it. It’s pretty tough.”
All of us here today are united by the same timeless values. We believe that our liberty is a gift from our creator, and that no Government can ever take it away. We believe in the rule of law - and we support the men and women of law enforcement. We have pride in our history... pic.twitter.com/eONj1Y8oju[1]
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It is not clear which specific story Mr Trump was referring to, but a London surgeon spoke out last month of the problems of both gun and knife crime, saying some of his military colleagues had likened working in the city to their time at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan.
Martin Griffiths,
