US politics live: Mass walkout as world leader begins UN speech

Scores of diplomats walked out of the United Nations as a world leader began to speak in a dramatic sign of the country’s isolation.

Welcome to our coverage of politics in the United States.

At the United Nations in New York, scores of diplomats from around the world walked out of Israeli Prime Minister’s Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech on Friday in protest at the deaths in Gaza. Some even jeered.

Israel’s UN ambassador said it was a “a staged performance” co-ordinated by Palestinians.

Mr Netanyahu hit out at countries – including Australia – which have recognised Palestine claiming “murdering Jews does pay off”.

Footage has captured what appeared to be a testy conversation between Mr Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on board Marine One. The US president could be seen wagging his finger at Mrs Trump. The reason is not known.

Following the controversial indictment of former FBI director James Comey, who was fired by Donald Trump during his first term, the US president has denied he has a retribution list.

That’s despite him repeatedly reeling off names of people he wants to be prosecuted who – coincidentally – have sparred with him.

“It’s not a list,” he said but then ominously added “but I think there’ll be others”.

“It’s about justice. Really, it’s not revenge.”

Mr Comey has been charged with obstruction of justice and making a false statement to Congress

He has said he is innocent and will fight the charges which many legal experts have said are weak.

Read on for more updates.