Theresa May has refused to criticise the Metropolitan Police for its controversial warning to journalists not to publish Kim Darroch‘s leaked criticisms of Donald Trump.

The spokesperson also declined to back The Mail on Sunday’s decision to publish the diplomat’s top-secret communications, because there was an “ongoing investigation”.

The Met was forced to issue a second statement over the weekend after the furore that greeted its warning that publication of the cables could constitute a criminal offence.

Mr Johnson condemned the “chilling effect on public debate” – while Mr Hunt said: “I defend to the hilt the right of the press to publish those leaks.”

But, asked if Ms May had similar criticisms, her spokesperson replied: “The Metropolitan Police has issued two statements and both are a matter for them. I won’t comment on either.”

20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Show all 20 1 /20 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit An awkward greeting As the Queen welcomed Trump to Buckingham Palace, he shared an awkward handshake with her. PA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit "Oi Trump" Essex teenager Ollie Nancarrow mowed this message to Trump in a field near Stansted airport, in order that the president would be forced to see it as he came in to land. BornEco 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit A warm welcome Protesters gesture at the helicopter carrying the president as he arrives at Buckingham Palace on the first day of his visit. Getty 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Inspecting the guard After arriving at Buckingham Palace, President Trump inspected an honour guard with Prince Charles. AP 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Khan hits back After the president insulted Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, over Twitter as he landed in Britain, Khan hit back in this video released by Elle. PA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Mild reception on the Mall The Mall, the road leading to Buckingham Palace, was lacking in pomp as Trump arrived after his visit to Westminster Abbey, only a very small crowd turned out to see the spectacle. Reuters 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Toast with the Queen The president shared a toast with the Queen at the state banquet on his first night in Britain. Reuters 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Creepy kids This picture of Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner, shared to Ivanka's Instagram, was described variously as "terrifying", like "nightmares" and "scarier than the shining." Getty 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Rolling out the red carpet A red carpet was rolled out for the president's arrival to 10 Downing Street. Reuters 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Meeting with May President Trump met with Prime Minister Theresa May on the second day of his visit. They did not speak privately but in a boardroom meeting. Reuters 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Spouses get along First Lady Melania Trump and husband of the prime minister Philip May attended a garden party for the families of Downing Street staff while the two leaders were in their meeting. Getty 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Baby blimp flies again The famous Trump baby blimp made a return in the protests against the president's visit, after first appearing in July last year. EPA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Crowd gathers A large crowd of protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square in London to protest the president's visit. Notable protesters included a man selling Donald Trump toilet paper and a man dressed as Vladimir Putin controlling a Trump puppet. PA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Protesters mix and mingle Supporters of the president and protesters of his visit clashed by Parliament Square on the second day of Trump's visit, with some supporters being hit by milkshakes. Reuters 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Toilet Trump A 20ft statue of Trump tweeting while sitting on a golden toilet was placed in Trafalgar Square as protesters gather on the second day of the president's visit. Tom Batchelor / The Independent 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Corbyn speaks In an address to protesters, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the president of spreading "hatred" and "racism" and expressed disappointment that Sadiq Khan had "been attacked in the way he was." PA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Churchill hat During his interview with the president on Good Morning Britain, Piers Morgan gave Trump a hat of a style favoured by Winston Churchill, one of Trump's heroes. ITV 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Bus stop baby Activists Special Patrol Group installed this poster in to several bus stops around Portsmouth ahead of the president's arrival for D-Day commemorations PA 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Fly-past with the queen President Trump watched the Red Arrows fly-past with the Queen at an event in Portsmouth to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings AFP/Getty 20 pictures that sum up President Trump's visit Commemoration speech The president gave a speech at an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Along with Trump, the prime minister and the royal family, French president Emmanuel Macron and 300 Second World War veterans were in attendance. AFP/Getty

Asked if she was committed to press freedom, he replied: “A free press is one of the foundations on which our democracy rests.”

Neil Basu, the Met’s assistant commissioner, caused the storm late on Friday by criticising publication of the cables “now knowing they may be a breach of the OSA” [Official Secrets Act].

He said: “The publication of leaked communications, knowing the damage they have caused or are likely to cause, may also be a criminal matter.”

A later statement rowed back, by insisting “the focus of the investigation” was on the leaker, but continued to insist publication risked committing “a criminal offence”.

David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, called for Mr Basu to be stripped of his role in the investigation and replaced by an officer who puts a free press before “the state’s reputation”.

Sir Kim resigned as US ambassador last week, saying his position had become “impossible” following the leak of diplomatic cables in which he Mr Trump’s White House as “inept” and “dysfunctional”.

The Mail on Sunday ignored the Met’s warning by releasing another cable from May 2018 suggesting Mr Trump had pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in an act of spite against Barack Obama.

The prime minister’s spokesperson said: “The leak was completely unacceptable and the person who leaked the documents should now face the consequences.

“I’m not going to comment on an ongoing investigation and it’s important that the police are now able to get on with their work.”