The Trump-supporting student involved in a stand-off with a Native American elder in Washington said "I wish we had walked away" in his first appearance since footage of the incident went viral.

Nick Sandmann, 16, told NBC News: "In hindsight I wish we could've walked away and avoided the whole thing but I can't say that I'm sorry for listening to him and standing there".

Asked whether he needed to apologise for his actions, he said: "As far as standing there, I had every right to do so. My position is that I was not disrespectful... I respect him, I'd like to talk to him."

A viral three-minute, 44-second clip of the incident went viral over the weekend showing a large group of teenagers, several donning "Make America Great Again" caps, surrounding Nathan Phillips, a Native American war veteran.

The focus of the footage was on Mr Sandmann, wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat and appearing to smirk while a crowd of other teens laughed derisively behind him, as he faced off against the 64-year-old Mr Phillips, who played a traditional song on a drum.