The second presidential election debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton centred on allegations of sexual assault, threats and lies and was full of mutual contempt. The debate was really embarrassing for the United States because America is widely regarded as the leader of the free world. It damaged the prestige of the US and was a poor advertisement for US democracy, thanks to the Republican-comedian-liar-candidate Donald Trump.

The rise of the outrageous Mr Trump has created so much confusion in America and around the globe that the real truth simply gets buried amid a mass of falsehoods. His racially inflammatory remarks and derogatory comments about women shocked the nation and shows he is unqualified to be the next US President. He has thrown the US system into confusion, leaving the press and the Republican Party floundering.

The fact that approximately 40 per cent of Americans are going to vote for Mr Trump, who has insulted Mexicans and called for a ban on Muslims entering the US, suggests that the US is in deep trouble. Many of Mr Trump’s fellow Republicans are dismayed and embarrassed by him and have withdrawn their endorsement of their party’s candidate.

If Hillary Clinton makes it to the White House (and I honestly believe and hope that she will) there will be relief across the West and a certain disappointment in Moscow.  But it will be hard to erase the memory of this outrageous campaign because it has presented an image of a troubled, divided and deluded US to the rest of the world.