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Obama Insists Gay UK Tourists Welcome To US

US President Barack Obama has criticised anti-LGBT laws in North Carolina and Mississippi, saying he thinks they should be "overturned" and the legislation is "wrong".

He spoke during a visit to London after the UK Foreign Office changed its travel advice, warning lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) travellers to be careful when visiting the two US states.

During a joint news conference with UK Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street, the President told reporters: "The people of North Carolina and Mississippi are wonderful people.

"They are hospitable people. They are beautiful states … I also think that the laws that have been passed there are wrong. And should be overturned."

He added that the transgender bathroom law was "in part" a response to politics and also to "some emotions that are generated by people".

The legislation stops local governments from passing anti-discrimination rules and requires transgender students to use bathrooms assigned to their biological sex at birth.

Mr Cameron also waded into the debate, saying he believed legislation should be used "to end discrimination, rather than try to enhance it".

A top Republican North Carolina lawmaker criticised the US President's comments.

"Not every father has the luxury of Secret Service agents protecting his daughters' right to privacy in the girls' bathroom," state Senate Leader Phil Berger said.

The new UK Foreign Office advisory on North Carolina and Mississippi reads: "The US is an extremely diverse society and attitudes toward LGBT people differ hugely across the country.

"Before travelling please read our out general travel advice for the LGBT community."

Big businesses, rock stars and other artists have boycotted North Carolina since it passed the bill.