PM condemns Trump after years of fawning over US president by Tories

Boris Johnson leads charge to reverse stance on divisive leader in light of riot at Capitol building

Senior Conservatives have frantically distanced themselves from Donald Trump after four years of praising the US president as a close ally of Britain, including granting him a three-day state visit and as recently as a fortnight ago describing him as a great friend of the UK.

Labour accused the Conservative party of failing to call out Trump once it had become clear weeks ago he was refusing to accept the result of the presidential elections. It also accused senior Tories of years of fawning over a known populist who insulted his allies, peddled conspiracy theories and, by treating authoritarians as his natural allies, undermined democracy everywhere.