Boris Johnson condemns ‘disgraceful scenes’ as Donald Trump supporters storm US Capitol
Boris Johnson has condemned "disgraceful scenes" in the US as supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in Washington DC.
The Prime Minister called for the “peaceful and orderly” transfer of power following Joe Biden’s election win as he condemned the violence on Wednesday.
His comments came after British politicians from all parties described the scenes in Washington as "profoundly shocking" and "utterly horrifying".
Amid clashes with police, protesters breached barricades and were able to enter the building on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, disrupting politicians' formal approval of Joe Biden's election win.
Mr Johnson tweeted: "Disgraceful scenes in U.S. Congress. The United States stands for democracy around the world and it is now vital that there should be a peaceful and orderly transfer of power."
Other politicians including Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade Emily Thornberry spoke out against the scenes at the Capitol.
Pro-Trump supporters storm US Capitol
The First Minister tweeted that the scenes from the Capitol were “utterly horrifying”.
She added: “Solidarity with those in (the United States) on the side of democracy and the peaceful and constitutional transfer of power. Shame on those who have incited this attack on democracy.”
Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade Emily Thornberry described the scenes in Washington as “profoundly shocking”.
While Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, said: “The US rightly takes great pride in its democracy, and there can be no justification for these violent attempts to frustrate the lawful and proper transition of power.”
The clashes occurred outside in the very spot where President-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks’ time.
After the mass protests became violent, President Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to ask his supporters to “to go home now," before he told them he loved them and they were special.
