Richard Spencer, the US white supremacist leader, was forced to hold a press conference at his flat after Washington hotels refused to allow him to use their premises.

At least two hotels cancelled the planned event after the location was leaked online.

Mr Spencer was holding the press conference following violent clashes between white supremacist groups and anti-racism protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a 32-year-old woman, Heather Heyer, was killed.

The Sofitel Hotel and then the Willard Hotel in Washington both cancelled the planned event, according to Buzzfeed - forcing Mr Spencer to hold the event at the apartment he uses as an office and part-time home.

He had earlier asked the selected invitees to keep the location of the briefing secret, but they were both leaked online.

"For everyone’s safety, please do not share this information with any you do not trust," Mr Spencer wrote in an email to attendees.

The events were cancelled after social media users asked others to call the hotels and urge them not to give space to Mr Spencer.

The far-right leader then sent another email saying he had “secured a location in Old Town, Alexandria” – a part of Northern Virginia where he recently moved into a flat.

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

Asked about his use of the building, he said: "I can live here part time, yes. But this is my office."

The press conference then took place at the flat, in front of a file of books, a large TV screen and a framed poster. Mr Spencer stood on a woven rug while security guards took their places in the kitchen.

He told attendees: "I'm sorry it was such a challenge to get here. I wanted to go to [a location] in DC but it kept getting cancelled. I had to come here where we are totally secure. It's a little crowded but this will do."

The white supremacist said he was not responsible for the violence in Charlottesville and claimed he “absolutely” does not have blood on his hands.

He was present during the “Unite the Right” protest but claims he was not one of its organisers. His name was prominently displayed on leaflets advertising the event.

While condemning violence and promising to “get rid of anyone that thinks that that’s OK”, he said he believed there was a “very good chance” that James Fields, who has been charged with the murder of Ms Heyer after allegedly driving his car into crowds of anti-racism protestors, would be cleared of murder.

Fields could have been “extremely scared” after his car was hit with a bat, he suggested, saying he would “reserve judgement until more facts come out”.