Theresa May calls US immigration ban 'divisive and wrong'

British Prime Minister Theresa May has for the first time condemned the actions of Donald Trump in signing an executive order which suspends immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim states.

May travelled to the United States last week to meet with the new President in Washington, while he was signing off on several executive orders on issues such as immigration, business and trade.

During the Prime Minister Questions on Wednesday in the Houses of Parliament, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn questioned May about the government's reaction to the policy, which affects refugees and immigrants from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Sudan.

"This government is clear, that policy is wrong," May told the House of Commons. "In six years as Home Secretary I never introduced such a policy, we believe it is divisive and wrong."

Corbyn attacked May for not speaking out against Trump previously, citing the 1951 Refugee Convention which states countries must accept refugees regardless of race, colour or religion.

May defended the government's record on the protection of refugees.

"We have introduced the scheme to ensure that particularly vulnerable refugees in Syria can be brought to this country...We're also the second biggest bilateral donor, helping and supporting refugees in the region."

The US President has faced criticism over the decision to implement the ban, and sacked the acting attorney general Sally Yates following her refusal to enforce the travel ban.