President Trump blamed the Washington air collision on Democratic policies promoting diversity in the workplace, as it emerged that staffing shortages on the night of the crash forced one air traffic controller to do two people’s jobs.

Trump suggested on Thursday that the collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight, which is thought to have killed all 67 people on both aircraft, was due to the government prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives above capability.

He said that under his government he would ensure only the most qualified and skilled people were hired, regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation. Asked what led him to blame DEI for what is America’s worst air disaster for more than 20 years,