Theresa May refuses to back Donald Trump’s Armageddon threats over North Korea saying UK’s ‘overwhelming’ preference for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution
The Prime Minister's spokesperson wouldn't get behind Defence Secretary Mattis's demands for a 'massive military response' after the communist country tested another missile
THERESA MAY has refused to back Donald Trump’s Armageddon threat over North Korea, saying it's the UK's "overwhelming" preference for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution.
The Prime Minister's spokesperson wouldn't get behind the US Defense Secretary's demands for a "massively military response" on the communist state.
Jim Mattis said it was not looking at "total annihilation"; after Jim Jong-un conducted a H-bomb test over the weekend - it's most powerful one yet.
But he vowed to meet any threat to America with "a massive military response" and said there were "many options" on the table.
Hours after the test, US President took to Twitter, writing: "North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States.
"North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success."
He then added: "South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!"
When asked by a reporter during a church visit if he would attack the North Mr Trump said: "We'll see."
But this morning Downing Street distanced themselves from America's response.
Theresa May's spokesperson said earlier today: "As the Prime Minister made clear yesterday, and the Foreign Secretary made clear, our focus is on working with partners to increase pressure on North Korea and find a diplomatic solution to the crisis."
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Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson yesterday said the test was "reckless", saying: "It's our view in the UK overwhelmingly that peaceful diplomatic solutions are best. We really don't see an easy military solution - the distance between North Korea and Seoul is very small.
"Much more productive is to continue the international diplomatic effort.
"What the Chinese always say is there's a kind of equivalence between the South Korean/US exercises and nuclear exercises carried out by North Korea. We don't accept that.
"Our message to the Chinese is that we think there's more scope for you to put economic pressure on the North Koreans."
The test, which comes a week after Pyongyang fired a missile over the Japanese island of Hokkaido, caused a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Sunday.
It was seen as a direct challenge to Trump, who has vowed to stop North Korea developing nuclear weapons that could threaten the United States.
And South Korea also responded with a live-fire simulation of an attack on the dumpy despot's test site.
The US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, confirmed there would be an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the situation.