Mississippi churchgoer arrested in 'Vote Trump' arson

Are hate crimes spiking after Trump's victory?

Andrew McClinton, 45, was charged over the incident, in which "Vote Trump" was also spray-painted, a week before the presidential election.

Police suspect the attack at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church was staged to make it look like a hate crime.

The news comes as Michigan police found an alleged hate crime to be false.

Following an investigation, police determined she had lied about the incident. The unidentified student could face charges for filing a false report, said officials.

In the Mississippi case, the suspect has a long criminal record.

Mr McClinton was arrested on Wednesday and charged with first-degree arson on a place of worship.

He is due in court on Thursday in Greenville, where the fire occurred on 1 November.

Mississippi department of corrections records show Mr McClinton has a string of convictions dating back to 1991 for grand larceny, receiving stolen property and attempted robbery.

Greenville Mayor Errick D Simmons said: "There is no place for this heinous and divisive behaviour in our city.

"We will not rest until the culprit is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Last month he called the church burning "a direct assault on the Hopewell congregation's right to freely worship".