Donald Trump has softened his stance on temporarily barring Muslims from travelling to the US.
Responding to remarks by newly elected London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Donald Trump told Fox News Radio the ban was “just a suggestion”.
Sadiq Khan has expressed concern that he would not be able to travel to the US under a Trump administration because of his Muslim faith.
The Republican presidential hopeful had offered to make an “exception” for Sadiq Khan.
Sadiq Khan refused Donald Trump’s offer, saying the New York businessman’s views were “ignorant” and would make the UK and the US “less safe”.
Donald Trump proposed a ban on Muslims entering the US after attacks in Paris killed 130 people last year.
The suggested ban has been widely criticized in the US and abroad but Donald Trump until now has stood by the proposal, saying it was needed to ensure US security.
Donald Trump said on May 11: “It’s a temporary ban. It hasn’t been called for yet.
“This is just a suggestion until we find out what’s going on.”
He has shifted positions in the past on a variety of issues only to change his stance days later.
Donald Trump has often given conflicting accounts on issues including his tax plan, abortion and transgender people accessing public toilets.
This flexibility has led to concerns among Republican Party leaders about his candidacy.
Top Republicans including House Speaker Paul Ryan have said they are not ready to support Donald Trump in the general election.
The billionaire will meet Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and others on May 12 in an attempt to resolve differences.
Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican Mitt Romney – who ran against President Barack Obama in 2012 – separately raised questions about Donald Trump’s tax returns.
Donald Trump has so far refused to release his tax records – a common practice among presidential nominees. Hillary Clinton has posted her past eight tax returns on her website.
Mitt Romney said: “It is disqualifying for a modern-day presidential nominee to refuse to release tax returns to the voters, especially one who has not been subject to public scrutiny in either military or public service.”
