Donald Trump: Met Police joins London Mayor Boris Johnson in criticising US presidential hopeful

The Met Police has said Donald Trump "could not be more wrong" after the Republican presidential nominee front runner said the force was afraid to go to "radicalised" parts of London. The billionaire businessman sparked controversy on 7 December when he told supporters he would ban Muslims from entering the US.

The comments were widely condemned with David Cameron, who took the unusual step of criticising a potential US presidential nominee in a statement issued through his spokeswoman . He said Trump's comments were "divisive, unhelpful and quite simply wrong".

But the reality star-turned-wannabe politician refused to back down on 8 December and claimed there were places in London "that are so radicalised that the police are afraid for their own lives". The Met, however, issued a swift rebuttal. "We would not normally dignify such comments with a response, however on this occasion we think it's important to state to Londoners that Mr Trump could not be more wrong," a statement read.

"Any candidate for the presidential election in the United States of America is welcome to receive a briefing from the Met Police on the reality of policing in London."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson earlier said Trump's remarks were "complete and utter nonsense". The Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP and touted future Conservative Party leader said London "has a proud history of tolerance and diversity and to suggest there are areas where police officers cannot go because of radicalisation is simply ridiculous".

He pointed to London's falling crime rate and quipped: "The only reason I wouldn't go to some parts of New York is the real risk of meeting Donald Trump."