Theresa May does "not agree" with Donald Trump's immigration restrictions and will make representations if it affects Britons, Number 10 says.

The Prime Minister clarified her position after earlier insisting it was up to the US government to devise its own policy.

A Downing Street official said: "Immigration policy in the United States is a matter for the government of the United States, just the same as immigration policy for this country should be set by our government.

"But we do not agree with this kind of approach and it is not one we will be taking."

The crackdown means British citizens born in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen will not be able to travel to the States - even if they do not have dual nationality.


Trump: Immigration ban going 'very nicely'

One of those affected is Iraqi-born Nadhim Zahawi, the Conservative MP for Stratford-on-Avon.

He told Sky News the ban is "discriminatory and demeaning".

He said his sons, who were born and grew up in the UK, were due to visit from Princeton University, where they are studying, and he fears they will not be allowed to go back.

"I hope President Trump will reconsider," he said. "Daesh (Islamic State) will be loving this day becuase if the leader of the free world can act in this way, then why shouldn't they preach hatred and violence."

He added that he thought the Prime Minister had been "been very clear on this".

"I am very proud of her position," he said.

Best friends? The special relationship

Downing Street said Mrs May's team would be in touch with the White House if Britons were affected by the order.

"We are studying this new executive order to see what it means and what the legal effects are, and in particular what the consequences are for UK nationals," Number 10 said.

"If there is any impact on UK nationals then clearly we will make representations to the US government about that."

Labour and Conservative MPs had reacted with horror to Mr Trump's policy, and Mrs May's initial refusal to condemn it.

Outspoken Tory MP Heidi Allen tweeted the Prime Minister directly to say: "Strong leadership means not being afraid to tell someone powerful when they're wrong. It's an ethos this country is proud of Theresa May."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticsed said: "Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning his actions. It should sadden our country that she chose not to.

PM refuses to criticise Trump on refugees

"After Trump's hideous actions and May's weak failure to condemn them, it's more important than ever for us to say to refugees seeking a place of safety, that they will always be welcome in Britain."

But Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke defended Mrs May.

"The Prime Minister is not a shoot-from-the-hip type of politician, she wants to see the evidence, she wants to understand precisely what the implications are," he said.

"She had been in a series of very lengthy meetings with President Erdogan and she is someone who wants to see the briefing and understand it and then will respond to that."

Other world leaders, including Canada's Justin Trudeau and French President Francois Hollande, were more forthright in speaking out against the ban.