'WHEN I started to think about what I was going to write in this column, Theresa May was heading over to the United States to meet with President Trump, doubtless desperate to come away with something she could sell as good news in terms of holding out hope for a trade deal with the USA following Brexit.

Now it should be clear to anyone who heard or read the new President's Inauguration speech that his 'America First!' approach means that while their will doubtless be the opportunity for trade, it will certainly not be free. Trump's idea of a great deal is a one sided one that benefits the USA

So perhaps that is what lay behind her appalling silence over Trumps comments about torture. And that silence should be a source of great shame to Theresa May. Over the past few days there has been much debate sparked by Trump's comments about the efficacy of torture in securing information and the balance of opinion from 'experts' - and we know Trump's views on them - is that it doesn't work and the information received cannot be trusted. But that argument against torture is trumped - in spades - by the argument that is is utterly morally untenable.

And that is why May should be so ashamed of herself. No trade deal is worth silence on an issue as important as that.

Of course, up until that point it was all just words. But, over the weekend, we have seen the true horror start to unfold as the edict Trump issued against allowing those with connections to ...... bit home with real chaos descending on airports across the US as those holding entirely legitimate documentation - passports, visas, work permits - were refused entry, even for onward transit to other countries.

Some of the stories that have emerged make it clear how ridiculous the new rules were. We heard about the Iraqi-born Glasgow vet travelling home from Costa Rica via the US who was stuck without a means of getting back to Scotland until a remarkable crowdfunding push (fantastic effort by Women for Independence) paid for a ticket on a different route. And Sit Mo Farah, international extraordinaire, who has been living in Oregon for the last few years working for Nike, found himself stranded outside the US, away from his family because he was overseas when the list was issued with Somalia, his place of birth, on it.

But, thankfully, not everyone was silent.

This is far from over, however, and we must always be vigilant and determined to attack racism, and bigotry wherever we find it

We shall not be silent and we will not stand by and let history repeat itself'.