Bill Clinton has told the BBC the US political climate must change after the shooting of a US Congresswoman and others in Arizona.

The former president also said he hopes the Arizona Democrat, Gabrielle Giffords, can recover fully. Doctors say she is still in critical condition in hospital.

Mr Clinton condemned suggestions that the political rhetoric in the US may have contributed in some way to the attack.

"No one intends to do anything that encourages this sort of behaviour and I think it is wrong for anyone to suggest that," he said.

But he called on the US House of Representatives to "lead the way" in toning down the discourse.