Third resignation from Trump's manufacturing council

The chief executive of tech giant Intel is the latest high-profile figure to quit a group that advises the Trump administration.

Brian Krzanich said he was leaving the President's manufacturing council because he was concerned about the harm "our divided political climate" is causing to issues such as equality.

He criticised the "many in Washington" who "seem to be more concerned with attacking anyone who disagrees with them".

It follows the resignations from the same group on Monday of Kenneth Frazier, the black chief executive of pharmaceutical giant Merck, and Kevin Plank, the CEO of Under Armour.

Mr Frazier said he was quitting in the wake of Mr Trump's initial failure to condemn the far-right for violence in Charlottesville.

Mr Krzanich wrote on the Intel website: "Politics and political agendas have sidelined the important mission of rebuilding America's manufacturing base.

"I have already made clear my abhorrence at the recent hate-spawned violence in Charlottesville, and earlier today I called on all leaders to condemn the white supremacists and their ilk who marched and committed violence.

"I resigned because I want to make progress, while many in Washington seem more concerned with attacking anyone who disagrees with them.

"We should honour - not attack - those who have stood up for equality and other cherished American values. I hope this will change, and I remain willing to serve when it does.

"My request - my plea - to everyone involved in our political system is this: set scoring political points aside and focus on what is best for the nation as a whole.

"The current environment must change, or else our nation will become a shadow of what it once was and what it still can and should be."

Mr Plank, the founder of sportswear firm Under Armour, announced his resignation from the council in a Twitter posting.

He said: "We remain resolute in our potential and ability to improve American manufacturing. However, Under Armour engages in innovation and sports, not politics."

Mr Trump was criticised for saying "many sides" were involved in the weekend's Charlottesville violence, which left a woman dead and dozens injured after anti-fascist activists clashed with far-right supporters.

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and Walt Disney chief executive Robert Iger quit the Trump administration's strategic and policy forum in June after the President announced the US would withdraw from the Paris climate accord.

Musk has also left the manufacturing council.

Former Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick left the President's business advisory council in February amid pressure from his company over the Trump administration's immigration policies.