Forex Trading For Beginners 2021: Capitol siege: Trump's words 'directly led' to violence, Patel says

Members of the Oath Keepers are seen among supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol

Donald Trump's comments "directly led" to his supporters storming Congress and clashing with police, Home Secretary Priti Patel has said.

Four people have died after a pro-Trump mob stormed the building in a bid to overturn the election result.

President Trump had urged protesters to march on the Capitol after making false claims of electoral fraud.

Ms Patel said the president's words had fuelled the violence and he "didn't do anything to de-escalate that".

Earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the "disgraceful scenes", saying it was vital that there should be a "peaceful and orderly transfer of power".

'Awful beyond words'

Hundreds of the president's supporters stormed the Capitol - where lawmakers met to confirm Joe Biden's presidential election victory in November - and staged an occupation of the building in Washington DC.

Both chambers of Congress were forced into recess, as protesters clashed with police and tear gas was released.

Ms Patel told BBC Breakfast the scenes were "awful beyond words".

The home secretary said: "His comments directly led to the violence, and so far he has failed to condemn that violence and that is completely wrong."

She added: "He basically has made a number of comments yesterday that helped to fuel that violence and he didn't actually do anything to de-escalate that whatsoever... what we've seen is completely unacceptable."

The home secretary added that America "needs to move on" and have the transition of power from Mr Trump to Mr Biden.

A woman died after being shot by police, and three others died as a result of "medical emergencies", local police said.

The US Congress has since reconvened to certify Mr Biden's victory.

Politicians across the UK's political parties lined up to condemn the scenes in Washington.

Mr Johnson tweeted: "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."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was a "direct attack on democracy".

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called the events "utterly horrifying".

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said there was "no justification for these violent attempts to frustrate the lawful and proper transition of power".

Friend of President Trump and leader of Reform UK - formerly the Brexit Party - Nigel Farage tweeted: "Storming Capitol Hill is wrong. The protesters must leave."

President Trump later called on his supporters to "go home", while continuing to make false claims of electoral fraud. Twitter and Facebook later froze his accounts.

Meanwhile, Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey has defended the prime minister's response to the rioting.

Asked on ITV's Peston programme why Mr Johnson hadn't criticised Mr Trump, she said: "The prime minister has been clear tonight that we need a peaceful and orderly transition."

Ms Coffey added that events in the US were a "reminder that democracy is something precious - and will only continue to thrive as long as we protect institutions that make this country important and not demean each other when the majority of what we want to achieve is similar outcomes".