Donald Trump has been suspended from Facebook until at least January 2023 after he “praised people” who took part in violence during the US Capitol riot.

The social media giant’s independent oversight board had in May upheld Facebook’s block on the former president.

However, the board ruled it was wrong to make the ban indefinite and gave the company six months to determine a “proportionate response”.

Nick Clegg, vice president of global affairs, has now said: “Given the gravity of the circumstances that led to Mr Trump’s suspension, we believe his actions constituted a severe violation of our rules which merit the highest penalty available under the new enforcement protocols.

“We are suspending his accounts for two years, effective from the date of the initial suspension on January 7 this year.”

Mr Clegg added: “At the end of this period, we will look to experts to assess whether the risk to public safety has receded. We will evaluate external factors, including instances of violence, restrictions on peaceful assembly and other markers of civil unrest.

“If we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded.

“When the suspension is eventually lifted, there will be a strict set of rapidly escalating sanctions that will be triggered if Mr Trump commits further violations in future, up to and including permanent removal of his pages and accounts.”