Charlie Kirk posthumously awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump

Charlie Kirk has been posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump.

The USA's highest civilian honour was received by the conservative activist's widow, Erika, at the White House. Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on 10 September while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.

He founded Turning Point USA and toured American university campuses, debating students about current affairs. Addressing those attending the ceremony in the White House rose garden, the US president said they were there to "honour and remember a fearless warrior for liberty" and a "beloved leader who galvanised the next generation".

He said Kirk's name was being entered "forever into the eternal roster of true American heroes". Trump described Charlie Kirk as an "American patriot of the deepest conviction, the finest quality and the highest calibre".

He said his nation had been "robbed" of an "extraordinary champion". And Trump said Kirk was assassinated in the "prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth, for living his faith, and relentlessly fighting for a better and stronger America".

Read more from Sky News:Migrant with AK-47 face tattoo who threatened to kill Farage jailedEx-Premier League referee admits making indecent image of child Today was Charlie Kirk's birthday, the president said. He described Erika Kirk as someone who had "endured unspeakable hardship with unbelievable strength".

A 22-year-old man, Tyler Robinson, from the city of Washington in Utah has been charged with Kirk's murder. Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty.

At a memorial event held at a stadium in Arizona, Erika Kirk told an enormous crowd she forgave her husband's killer. "The answer to hate is not hate," she said..