Trump London protests - as it happened: President denies taped criticism of May as '100,000' protest US leader in London
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Donald Trump has insisted the ‘special relationship’ between Britain and the United States is “the highest level of special” as he addressed reporters alongside prime minister Theresa May at Chequers.
The president described Brexit as an “incredible opportunity” and said whatever Britain does after leaving the European Union was “OK with me” – hours after telling The Sun newspaper that Ms May’s plan may “kill” any trade deal between the UK and the US.
Responding to questions about the interview, Mr Trump described the report as “fake news,” while Ms May added the pair had discussed plans for an “ambitious” trade agreement.
Following his Chequers meeting, Mr Trump headed to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen. But the president quickly defied royal protocol by walking ahead of the monarch during an inspection of the Coldstream guards.
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Despite the humiliating interview, in which Mr Trump said the prime minister “didn’t listen” to his advice on Brexit, Ms May praised the American leader for “making tough calls and saying things that others would rather not say”.
“From the outset, President Trump has been clear about how he sees the challenges we face and on many we agree,” she added.
The second day of the American leader’s visit to the UK was marked by mass protests across Britain, with a huge blimp depicting him as a baby wearing a nappy flown by demonstrators in London.
The six-metre inflatable caricature took to the skies in Westminster as tens of thousands of demonstrators prepare to march through London’s streets.
Protests were also planned to take place outside Chequers and in Scotland, where the president leader will arrive on Friday evening after having tea with the Queen at Windsor Castle.
Mr Trump was heavily critical of the proposed EU deal thrashed out by Ms May her cabinet, warning it would “probably kill” any future UK-US trade agreement.
The US leader said he would have done the negotiations “much differently” and claimed the prime minister had not listened to his advice.
Mr Trump’s comments were condemned by a number of MPs, including the universities minister Sam Gyimah, who tweeted: “Where are your manners, Mr President?”
↵Even children took to the streets to protest the US president's visit to Britain. Here's The Independent's education correspondent Eleanor Busby with a look at how the young took on Donald Trump.
Hundreds of people have gathered at Belfast City Hall to protest against Donald Trump's visit to the UK.
Many waved banners featuring anti-Trump messages, including "Belfast says no to Trump".
One Trump supporter who briefly heckled the start of the event was drowned out by the crowd chanting: "Hey ho, what's the crack, Donald Trump don't come back".
Compere Jennie Carlston, of US expat action group Exact, said the rally had been organised by a coalition of groups.
"We are protesting against Trump the man today, he is a dangerous, immoral and corrupt man. But we are also here to protest what Trump stands for, the racism, the intolerance, the rhetoric, the cruelty, discrimination and the arrogance of the US government that he embodies in the worst way," she said.
The US-born woman added: "As an American, I know that most people here know what it is like to have a government that doesn't speak for you, that refuses to do what is right, and sometimes even refuses to turn up and represent you. More Americans didn't vote for this president than did, and we should never forget that."
A long delay on Air Force One leaving Stansted Airport for Scotland. Reports suggest Donald Trump was being interviewed by Piers Morgan...
The Independent's Maya Oppenheim with more from the protests:
Louise Wilkstrom, 33, who had a 20 month child with her, said: “I think it’s just really important to show the UK, the US, and the rest of the world we are against Trump’s racism, misogyny, and homophobia.”
“I was pregnant during the Brexit referendum and I’m from Sweden so that was a blow. A month after he was born Donald Trump was elected and I thought ‘what is the world coming to? What world is he growing up in’. But you have to have some faith in the future and think people can change the future together.”
As her son gently threw an orange balloon baring Donald Trump’s face on it with a line across it, she laughed, saying: “In the meantime there are balloons”.
And that Donald Trump interview with Piers Morgan is confirmed.
According to a body language expert, Donald Trump looked like a "delighted child" as he was pictured alongside the Queen in Windsor Castle.
Judi James said the US president appeared to be unable to contain his excitement at meeting the monarch in her historic royal residence.
Mr Trump was pictured grinning broadly, next to the head of state in the castle's Grand Corridor, outside the Oak Room, with first lady Melania Trump on the other side of the royal host.
The president, whose visit to Windsor Castle lasted 57 minutes - 17 more than expected - kept his jacket unbuttoned.
Ms James said: "He does actually look like a Madame Tussauds model with his arms down and the grin on his face.
"He's not trying to be cool at all. He's obviously showing that he's utterly delighted to be there with the Queen.
"He looks like a delighted child."
Here's some footage of that already infamous Donald Trump faux pas at Windsor Castle today.
BREAKING: Donald Trump has arrived at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow aboard Air Force One. Image courtesy of the BBC.
Here's more on Donald Trump's defiance of royal protocol with the Queen.
↵And a look at the footage with a bit of musical accompaniment...
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