Former US President Donald Trump was shot and injured in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.
Sir Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the shooting at former US president Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
Mr Trump, who was “uninjured” according to a spokesman, said on his social media account Truth Social that a bullet had “lost” his ear before he was dragged to the ground by Secret Service agents.
The suspect was shot and killed, and the Secret Service confirmed that one person was killed and two others “seriously injured” in the crowd.
“I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and my heartfelt condolences go to him and his family,” the prime minister said.
“Political violence in any form has no place in our society. My heart goes out to all of the victims of this attack.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the government “condemns in the strongest terms all forms of political violence”.
He posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “As we closely monitor the shocking developments in Pennsylvania, our thoughts and best wishes are with President Trump and all of the victims and their families.”
Former Conservative prime minister Boris Johnson said it was “a miracle that Donald Trump survived the assassination attempt.”
“I am grateful that he is safe, but also a reminder of the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and injustice,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Our thoughts are with the President and the Trump family.”
President Joe Biden said he wanted to speak with Trump and that the shooting “must be condemned by everyone.”
“We cannot allow this to happen,” Biden said. “Violence like this is unheard of in America.”
World leaders joined Sir Keir in condemning the attack, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describing it as “alarming and confrontational”.
He said on X: “There is no place for violence in the democratic process.”
“I was relieved to hear that former President Trump is safe.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added that he was “disgusted” by the shooting.
“It cannot be emphasized enough that political violence will never be tolerated,” he said. “My thoughts are with former President Trump, those who attended the event, and all Americans.”
Former First Minister Liz Truss tweeted: “Please pray for President Trump”, while former Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braveman described the events in Pennsylvania as “horrifying scenes”.
As President Trump showed the crowd a graph showing the number of people crossing the border, gunshots rang out in the crowd.
Footage from the event showed screams erupting from the crowd and Secret Service agents rushing onto the stage.
The disturbance continued as police treated Trump, before he stood, raised his fist and was hurriedly escorted to a motorcade to leave the venue.
“I was shot above my right ear. I heard the whoosh, the gunshot, felt the bullet cut through my skin and I knew right away something was wrong,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“At this time, we have no information about the shooter. The shooter is now deceased.”
Spokesman Steven Chan added that Trump was “fine” and expressed his gratitude to “the police and emergency responders who acted swiftly during this heinous act”.
release date: Radio News Hub
