Airbnb’s co-founder says his short-lets platform will provide free housing “to refugees and anyone not allowed in the US.”

The offer, made on Twitter by Brian Chesky, follows President Trump’s decision to put a four-month embargo on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily barring travellers from Syria and six other Muslim-majority countries.

Chesky also tweeted: “Not allowing countries or refugees into America is not right, and we must stand with those who are affected.”

The founder and chief executive of electronic co-working platform Basecamp, Jason Fried, also indicated on Twitter that he was happy to pay hosts who offer housing to individuals caught up in the Trump Executive Order controversy, which broke on Saturday.

Some US citizens born in the seven countries specified in the Executive Order – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen – are believed to be working or visiting the UK and, in theory, may have difficulties returning to the US under some interpretations of the order. Some UK citizens – including at least one MP – born in those countries may also be affected should they wish to visit the US.

Number 10 Downing Street says it will “make representations” to the US government if any UK nationals were affected.