Ruth Davidson has called on US President Donald Trump to rescind his travel ban, describing it as "simply wrong".

As protests are staged around the world, the Scottish Conservative leader added her voice to calls for the executive order to be reversed.

She praised the UK Government for getting clarification on the status of UK dual citizens, but said: "I think at base, myself and many other people across the globe, including former Republican vice-president Dick Cheney, our solution would be for this executive order to be rescinded.

"I think that would be what we all want to see."

Speaking on a visit to a Glasgow college, she added: "I think in terms of the work that has been going on diplomatically, I'm very pleased that the UK Government, both the Foreign Office and the Home Office, have been speaking intensively to their counterparts in the US.

"I'm glad that there is clarification for people of dual nationality based in Britain, but for me that doesn't stop the idea that this executive order is simply wrong."

Ms Davidson also defended Theresa May amid a backlash after she repeatedly refused to criticise Mr Trump over the ban when questioned about the policy during a press conference on a visit to Turkey.

No 10 later said the Prime Minister did ''not agree'' with the policy and would act to help UK citizens.

Ms Davidson said: "I think people want a Prime Minister that is considered in her views and Theresa May is certainly that.

"I also think journalists travelling with her did make the point that she was travelling in a stripped-out C130, she wasn't on Air Force One with a comms suite, so nobody knew what had happened until they touched down.

"The Prime Minister knows her own mind, is a considered woman and likes to see what she is being asked about, and she wanted to see the executive order before she commented on it.

"I think there's an awful lot of sympathy for having a person with that level of consideration and detail at the head of the Government."

Ms Davidson laughed off any suggestion of meeting Mr Trump during his planned state visit later this year, saying she would not be invited as she is not a Government minister.

Meanwhile, the Church of Scotland has joined criticism of Mr Trump's order.

Rev Dr Russell Barr, the Moderator of the General Assembly, said: "The protests and the condemnation has my full support.

"History is littered with instances in which human distrust, xenophobia and discrimination has sewn hatred and conflict; our own desire for self-preservation taken at the exclusion of others.

"And yet throughout history the Bible has called Christians to live beyond hatred and fear, demonstrating a radical hospitality where the stranger finds welcome and refuge is provided for those who are oppressed."

mfl Page 2: 15:11 Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said there should be no state visit until the travel ban is lifted.

"It is heartbreaking that some of the most vulnerable people in the world are being turned back from a country that has a proud history of welcoming people from across the globe," Ms Dugdale said.

"One week into his presidency, Donald Trump is so far living up to our worst fears. He must be told in no uncertain terms that the vast majority of people of Scotland and the United Kingdom are repulsed and hurt by his actions.

"But for Theresa May to initially refuse to condemn her new friend was simply shameful. It should not have taken condemnation from people across the political spectrum - including from her own MPs - for her to be forced to speak out.

"Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has heaped praise on the May administration, and (Tory MSP) Murdo Fraser said the Prime Minister's trip to the US was 'turning out to be something of a triumph'. They must deeply regret such remarks today.

"Our country shouldn't be honouring Donald Trump with a state visit until the ban is lifted. State visits are a privilege, and they shouldn't be handed out without thought."