US defence officials confirm acceptance of Qatari plane for Air Force One

The US has accepted a plane from Qatar, a gift that sparked criticism including from some of President Trump’s biggest supporters.

“The secretary of defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement on Wednesday.

The plane will need to be modified before it can be used as part of the Air Force One fleet – the president’s official mode of air transport.

The White House insists that the gift is legal, but the announcement of the transfer a week ago caused huge controversy.