Donald Trump: 100,000 sign 'hate speech' petition to ban Republican hopeful from UK

More than 100,000 people have signed a petition in a bid to get Donald Trump banned from the UK after the property tycoon proposed banning all Muslims from travelling to the US. The Republican presidential hopeful announced the policy in the wake of the Islamic State (Isis)-linked terror attacks on Paris and the San Bernardino shootings in California.

"The UK has banned entry to many individuals for hate speech. The same principles should apply to everyone who wishes to enter the UK," said Suzanne Kelly, the petition's author.

"If the UK is to continue applying the 'unacceptable behaviour' criteria to those who wish to enter its borders, it must be fairly applied to the rich as well as poor, and the weak as well as powerful."

The British government will now have to reply to the petition after it surpassed the 10,000 threshold and parliamentarians will have to debate its context if it reaches the 100,000 mark. UK Prime Minister David Cameron has also criticised Trump, who owns hotels and golf course in Scotland, over his comments.

The Conservative leader described the businessman's comments as "unhelpful, divisive and completely wrong", according to Downing Street spokeswoman. Jed Bush, one of Trump's Republican rivals and former Florida governor, also condemned the multimillionaire.

Donald Trump is unhinged. His "policy" proposals are not serious.

— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 7, 2015

But the latest opinion poll from CNN and ORC International, of more than 2,000 Iowans between 28 November and 6 December, put Trump well ahead in the race to win the Republican candidacy for the 2016 US presidential elections.

The survey found Trump had 33% support, Ted Cruz had 20%, and Ben Carson had 16% among likely Republican caucus goers. Marco Rubio scored 11% and Bush garnered just 4%.

Update 12.25pm: Petition has reached 100,000.