Latest: Donald Trump referred to 'shithole countries' in Africa repeatedly, says Senator who was at meeting

LATEST: A US senator has rejected Donald Trump's effort to distance himself from claims that he used vulgar language to describe African countries, claiming the president "said these hate-filled things and he said them repeatedly".

Update 3.50pm: A US senator has rejected Donald Trump's effort to distance himself from claims that he used vulgar language to describe African countries, claiming the president "said these hate-filled things and he said them repeatedly".

The president has been accused of questioning why the US should accept more immigrants from Haiti and "shithole countries" in Africa, during a meeting on immigration.