Boris Johnson said it is a ‘miracle’ Donald Trump survived an attempted assassination today – as Keir Starmer condemned the ‘appalling’ events at a campaign rally.
UK politicians from across parties have been voicing repulsion at the shocking scenes, with multiple shots fired at the former President while he was speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Mr Trump was hit in the ear and left with blood running down his face as he was hustled to safety by the secret service.
Snipers took out the attacker – believed to have been outside the perimeter of the show grounds, several hundred yards from the stage – but a member of the audience was killed.
Mr Johnson posted on social media: ‘It is a miracle that Donald Trump escaped an attempted assassination.
‘As we give thanks for his safety we are reminded once again of the tragic fragility of democracy in the face of violence and unreason. Our thoughts are with the president and the Trump family.’
The PM said on X: ‘I am appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trump’s rally and we send him and his family our best wishes.
‘Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack.’
Boris Johnson said it is a ‘miracle’ Donald Trump survived an attempted assassination
Keir Starmer condemned the ‘appalling’ events at a campaign rally
Donald Trump appeared to be shot in the ear as shots were fired at the former president at a rally in Pennsylvania
Trump grabbed at the side of his head as he appeared to be hit
Secret Service raced to the stage to protect Trump after shots were fired
The husband of murdered MP Jo Cox called for a ‘consensus against political violence in all forms’ after the shooting at a rally for former US president Donald Trump in Pennsylvania.
Brendan Cox, whose wife Ms Cox was killed by a far-right extremist in 2016, posted to X, questioning Mr Trump’s own behaviour towards political opponents.
He added: ‘But that doesn’t justify using violence against him. It undermines democracy & makes more violence more likely.
‘We need a consensus against political violence in all forms.’
Newly elected MP Nigel Farage, a close friend of Mr Trump said he is going to travel to see Mr Trump at the Republican convention this week.
‘Mainstream media have spread a narrative of hatred against my friend Donald Trump,’ he said on social media. ‘I hope they are proud of themselves. Disgusting people.’
Appearing on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg this morning, Mr Farage said: ‘I was very upset and I’m still upset.
‘I’m obviously pleased that my friend Donald has got away with it, only just, but he’s got away with it.
‘But one person is dead. Two more are fighting for their lives in hospital so it’s an absolutely horrendous incident and yet somehow I’m not shocked by it.’
Mr Farage, who had milkshake and wet cement thrown at him during the election campaign, said Donald Trump and politicians in the UK now had to balance security with meeting voters: ‘The problem with this is, how do you go out and campaign? Think of John Major 30 years ago, a soap box in market squares, you couldn’t do that today.
‘So we finish up with our political leaders never meeting a voter, never meeting the public. I suspect knowing Trump as I do, he will carry on regardless.’
Another former Prime Minister, Liz Truss struck a similar tone, saying: ‘Pray for President Trump. Pray for America.’
Commons Leader Lucy Powell warned on Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that the UK was also seeing a rise in violence against politicians.
‘Clearly we have seen a rise in intimidation and attacks on serving politicians or people who want to be politicians in this country too,’ she said.
While Ms Powell said the election was one of the ‘great things about our democracy’, she added: ‘But we have to remember that underneath that, there has been this growing sense of insecurity and hate and attacks.’
‘It is something that we need to take action on,’ she said.
The Commons Leader later said some colleagues had ‘real difficulties’ while campaigning, telling Sky: ‘They have seen intimidation in the streets when campaigning, they have seen some intimidatory activity around and nearby polling stations.
‘We have seen some deepfakes being shared online about individuals that have turned out to be completely wrong, we have seen misinformation shared that fuels hatred and has a dehumanising effect on individuals.’
Trump had blood streaming down his cheeks as Secret Service agents put him to the floor
The extent of Trump’s injuries are not clear, although he appeared to want to show his supporters that he was okay within seconds of being shot
The UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy also condemned the actions of the shooter as unacceptable.
‘The UK government condemns all forms of political violence in the strongest terms.
‘As we monitor the shocking developments in Pennsylvania, our thoughts and best wishes are with President Trump – along with every victim and their families.’
A Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘We are shocked by the scenes at President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.
‘We condemn all forms of political violence in the strongest terms and we send our best wishes to President Trump and his family at this time.’
The identities of the shooter and the dead bystander have not yet been confirmed. It is also unclear where the shooter opened fire from and what kind of weapon was used.
