Former first minister Alex Salmond said last night it would do David Cameron “the world of good” not to apologise for comments he made about Donald Trump.
The Gordon MP insisted the prime minister should let his “correct assessment” of the US presidential hopeful as “divisive, stupid and wrong” stand on the record.
An adviser to the billionaire businessman yesterday called on Mr Cameron to say sorry for the remarks.
But the prime minister’s official spokeswoman said he had “no intention” of withdrawing his comments, made in response to Mr Trump’s call for a ban on Muslims entering America.
The row erupted after Ted Cruz, the main rival for the Republican nomination, withdrew from the race, leaving Mr Trump all but certain of securing it.
Mr Salmond was asked about the situation during his weekly LBC radio phone-in show.
“The nightmare gets worse and worse,” he said, describing the prospect of “the Donald” in the White House as one of the few things that would cause him to lose sleep.
Asked if the prime minister should apologise, the ex-SNP leader replied: “No. In this case it would do David Cameron the world of good not to apologise.”
He accepted Mr Cameron would have to deal with Mr Trump on a leader to leader basis if he became president.
But he added: “Up until that point, I think he should let his correct assessment of Donald Trump stand on the record.”
He also said Mr Trump’s campaign had damaged America’s reputation around the world.
Mr Cameron criticised Mr Trump in December during a debate in parliament on whether to ban him from the UK over his call for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States”.
He told the House of Commons he opposed a travel ban on Mr Trump, but added: “I think his remarks are divisive, stupid and wrong. If he came to visit our country I think he would unite us all against him.”
George Papadopoulos, an adviser to Mr Trump, said Mr Cameron’s comments were “uncalled for” and it would be “wise” for the prime minister to “reach out in a more positive manner” to the Republican front runner.
He said: “It would seem that if Prime Minister Cameron is serious about reaching out, not only to Mr Trump’s advisers but to the man himself, an apology or some sort of retraction should happen.”
