Trump delays Pence VP announcement after Nice attack

Donald Trump was set to announce Indiana governor Mike Pence as his vice-presidential running mate on Friday, before postponing the announcement after the devastating terrorist attack in Nice on Thursday night.

According to various news reports, the billionaire tycoon has chosen Pence to accompany him in his quest to become the next US president, despite the lack of official confirmation.

A seasoned politician and hardline conservative, Pence is seen as the perfect foil for the wildcard Trump, being known as adeqautely qualified and fairly low key in comparison to his boss.

Late Thursday, Mr. Trump’s allies in Cleveland stamped down dissident delegates in pre-convention negotiations. The convention’s Rules Committee rejected moves to allow convention delegates bound to Mr. Trump to vote for someone else.

84 people were killed in a horrific terrorist attack in the French Riviera on Thursday as a lorry bashed its way down a busy street, leaving carnage in its wake before the driver was eventually shot dead by police. Trump tweeted his sympathy to the victims of the attack:

It is not clear when Trump will officially announce Pence after the postponement, which was scheduled to take place in Manhattan.

The delay could leave Pence, who had already travelled to New York, in political limbo. He faces a noon Friday deadline to withdraw from the governor's race to allow Indiana Republican leaders to select a replacement candidate.

The Indiana governor's experience in government is seen as a key factor in Trump's decision, something that his current team lacks.The 57-year-old spent 12 years in Congress, including two years in a leadership role with the House Republican Conference.

Spence has been governer of the Midwestern state since 2012, and is hoped to provide a sense of unity to those Republican supporters who have been unnerved by Trump's inconsistent policies on guns, abortion and other conservative issues.