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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer faced outrage tonight after claiming ‘not even Hitler used chemical weapons’.

Comparing the actions of the Assad regime to the Nazi Fuhrer, Spicer told reporters: “We didn't even use chemical Weapons in World War II. You had someone as despicable as Hitler and who didn't even sink to using chemical weapons.”

Hitler systematically exterminated around a million Jews in extermination camps during World War II, in gas chambers using cyanide-based pesticide Zyklon-B.

Zyklon-A, the predecessor to the substance used in the Nazi gas chambers, was developed in the 1920s by scientists led by Fritz Haber, known as the “father of chemical warfare,” who also pioneered the weaponisation of chlorine.

Spicer's comments have prompted calls for his resignation from senior Democrats, Jewish groups and Barbara Streisand.

(Image: REUTERS)

(Image: Getty)

Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Trump’s presidential rival Hillary Clinton , tweeted minutes later: “I hope [Spicer] takes the time to visit the Holocaust Museum. It’s only a few blocks away.”

Offered a chance to clarify his comments at the regular White House press briefing, Spicer said: “I think when you come to sarin gas, he was using the gas on his own people in the same way that Assad is doing.

“He brought them into the …to the Holocaust centre, I understand that. What I’m saying is the way that Assad used them where he went into towns, dropped them down to into the middle of towns. I appreciate the clarification, that was not the intent.”

In a later statement, Spicer further clarified: “In no way was I trying to lessen the horrendous nature of the Holocaust. I was trying to draw a distinction of the tactic of using airplanes to drop chemical weapons on population centres. Any attack on innocent people is reprehensible and inexcusable.”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi called for Spicer to be fired over the comments.

She said: "While Jewish families across America celebrate Passover, the chief spokesman of this White House is downplaying the horror of the Holocaust.

“Sean Spicer must be fired, and the President must immediately disavow his spokesman’s statements. Either he is speaking for the President, or the President should have known better than to hire him.”

Singer Barbra Streisand also spoke out, tweeting: “Sean Spicer should be fired for saying Hitler did not use chemical weapons on “his own people.” You mean 6 million Jews don’t count?”

The Anne Frank Centre also called for Spicer to be fired.

In a statement posted on their Facebook page, executive director Steven Goldstein said: “On Passover no less, Sean Spicer has engaged in Holocaust denial, the most offensive form of fake news imaginable, by denying Hitler gassed millions of Jews to death.

“Spicer’s statement is the most evil slur upon a group of people we have ever heard from a White House press secretary.

“President Trump must fire him at once.”

But Brendan Cox, the campaigner and widower of Jo Cox, said: "Spicer is stupid but he didn't 'Deny Hitler gassed Jews' and suggesting he did belittles the gravity of the charge.