A US Republican senator says he will not seek re-election, delivering a fierce attack on President Donald Trump.
Arizona Senator Jeff Flake said “reckless, outrageous and undignified behaviour” at the top of the US government was dangerous to democracy.
Mr Trump has previously called Mr Flake “toxic”.
The US president is already embroiled in a row with another Republican Senator, Bob Corker.
Before confirming his decision in a speech to the Senate, Mr Flake told the Arizona Republic newspaper “there may not be a place for a Republican like me in the current Republican climate or the current Republican Party”.
Taking to the floor, he said he did not enjoy criticising the president but felt it was “a matter of duty and conscience”.
“We must never regard as ‘normal’ the regular and casual undermining of our democratic norms and ideals,” he said.
He lamented the “flagrant disregard for truth or decency, the reckless provocations, most often for the pettiest and most personal reasons”.
“I have children and grandchildren to answer to, and so, Mr President, I will not be complicit,” he added.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said it was “probably a good move” Mr Flake was standing down, suggesting he would not win re-election. -BBC
