Theresa May has been accused of "cowardice" for failing to sign a joint statement with other European leaders expressing regret at Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate change agreement.

The Prime Minister has been criticised for not putting her name to a strongly-worded joint statement issued last night by France, Germany and Italy, which said the accord was "a cornerstone in the co-operation between our countries, for effectively and timely tackling climate change".

Instead Mrs May told the American President of her "disappointment" at his decision, which means the US stands alongside only Syria and Nicaragua as nations who are not part of the deal.