Trump Aide Steps Back From Wiretap Claims

President Trump's press secretary has directly assured Britain's ambassador to the US he will not repeat allegations that GCHQ spied on the president.

Ambassador Sir Kim Darroch spoke to Sean Spicer after the presidential spokesman repeated claims that the British eavesdropping agency was used by Barack Obama to spy on Mr Trump before last year's election.

Britain was then told the claims will not be repeated, showing that the US administration does not give them any credence, Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesman said.

Mrs May's spokesman refused to say whether US officials apologised, but stated: "We have made clear to the (US) administration that these claims are ridiculous and that they should be ignored."

"We have a close, special relationship with the White House and that allows us to raise concerns as and when they arise as was true in this case.

"We have received assurances that these allegations won't be repeated and this shows the administration doesn't give the allegations any credence."

Theresa May's spokesman said it would not be possible for GCHQ to spy on Mr Trump as both countries are members of the Five Eyes alliance - a joint intelligence co-operation agreement which also includes Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

GCHQ described claims that they spied on President Donald Trump as "utterly ridiculous".

Mr Trump's spokesman Sean Spicer pointed to comments made on Fox News TV by former judge Andrew Napolitano, who said that Mr Obama did not ask America's own CIA, FBI or National Security Agency to install wire-taps at Trump Towers, but "used GCHQ".

A US Senate intelligence panel rejected claims the American government were involved in surveillance of Trump Tower, stating there were "no indications" any such activity took place before or after the Presidential election.

In a rare statement, a spokesman for the British listening post said:

"Recent allegations made by media commentator Judge Andrew Napolitano about GCHQ being asked to conduct 'wiretapping' against the then president elect are nonsense. They are utterly ridiculous and should be ignored."

GCHQ - the Government Communications Headquarters - works alongside MI5 and MI6 and focuses on defending the country against cyber threats.