Donald Trump has denied using the word "shithole" to describe Haiti and other nations, saying "this was not the language used".

The US President's denial came amid a storm of criticism from the UN and several countries over the reported use of the profane language.

He did admit the language he used during a bipartisan Oval Office meeting to discuss the immigration policy known as DACA "was tough".

"The so-called bipartisan DACA deal presented yesterday to myself and a group of Republican Senators and Congressmen was a big step backwards," he said.

"The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made - a big setback for DACA!"


The so-called bipartisan DACA deal presented yesterday to myself and a group of Republican Senators and Congressmen was a big step backwards. Wall was not properly funded, Chain & Lottery were made worse and USA would be forced to take large numbers of people from high crime..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

....countries which are doing badly. I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level. I want safety and security for our people. I want to stop the massive inflow of drugs. I want to fund our military, not do a Dem defund.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

....Because of the Democrats not being interested in life and safety, DACA has now taken a big step backwards. The Dems will threaten “shutdown,” but what they are really doing is shutting down our military, at a time we need it most. Get smart, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made - a big setback for DACA! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

He blamed the Democrats, saying the immigration policy DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, has taken a "big step backwards" because of the Democrats "not being interested in life and safety".

During the meeting with legislators about a proposed bipartisan deal on immigration, Mr Trump reportedly questioned why the US would want to admit more people from Haiti, and also mentioned Africa, according to sources quoted by US media.

"Why do we want all these people from Africa here? They're shithole countries... We should have more people from Norway," he was reported as saying.

However on Friday, the President denied saying "anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country."

He tweeted: "Never said 'take them out.' Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings - unfortunately, no trust!"

Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said “take them out.” Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings - unfortunately, no trust! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

The President's alleged comments drew widespread condemnation.

Botswana's government called Mr Trump's comment "highly irresponsible, reprehensible and racist", and said it had summoned the US ambassador to find out if Botswana is considered a "shithole" by the US.

"The Botswana Government has also enquired from the US Government through the Ambassador, to clarify if Botswana is regarded as a 'shithole' country given that there are Botswana nationals residing in the US, and also that some of Batswana may wish to visit the US," it said.

UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville also criticised the President's behaviour, saying: "These are shocking and shameful comments from the President of the United States.

"There is no other word one can use but racist.

"You cannot dismiss entire countries and continents as 'shitholes', whose entire populations, who are not white, are therefore not welcome."

:: Immigration slur - Why did Trump say it?

Image: In November, Washington said it was ending Temporary Protected Status for people from Haiti

In South Africa, Jessie Duarte, the deputy secretary general of the ruling African National Congress party, said: "Ours is not a shithole country, neither is Haiti or any other country in distress."

"We would not deign to make comments as derogatory as that about any country that has any kind of socioeconomic or other difficulties."

Former Mexican president Vicente Fox Quesada described Mr Trump's comments as "foul".

He said: "America's greatness is built on diversity, or have you forgotten your immigrant background, Donald?"

.@realDonaldTrump, your mouth is the foulest shithole in the world. With what authority do you proclaim who’s welcome in America and who’s not. America’s greatness is built on diversity, or have you forgotten your immigrant background, Donald? — Vicente Fox Quesada (@VicenteFoxQue) 11 January 2018

The White House did not immediately contradict reports of Mr Trump's remarks, but suggested the President was "fighting for permanent solutions" that strengthen the nation, and that included the use of a merit-based immigration system.

"Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people," White House spokesman Raj Shah.

"He will always reject temporary, weak and dangerous stopgap measures that threaten the lives of hardworking Americans, and undercut immigrants who seek a better life in the United States through a legal pathway."

Mr Trump later tweeted that he would not accept the proposed bi-partisan deal as the US would be "forced to take large numbers of people from high crime countries which are doing badly."

He added: "I want a merit based system of immigration and people who will help take our country to the next level."

In November, Donald Trump's administration said it was ending Temporary Protected Status for people from Haiti.

It gave the approximately 59,000 Haitian immigrants who had been granted the status until July 2019 to return home or legalise their presence in the US.