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?”
The BBC's James Lansdale says Donald Trump is set to revisit his remarks about Brexit during this afternoon's press conference with Theresa May:
Foreign office minister Sir Alan Duncan has been ridiculed after denying Donald Trump had been “rude” to Theresa May and insisting his visit is already a “success”.
Addressing the president's criticism of the prime minister and her Brexit plan, Sir Alan said: “I don't think we see it as rude. And I think the atmosphere last night at the Blenheim dinner was very, very special actually.”
Asked if the visit was “a success”, he replied: “So far, most definitely,” – and, asked if Ms May would “come out fighting”, said: “We will be respectful and polite to our guest.”
Sir Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat leader, accused the minister of burying his head in the sand, told The Independent's deputy political editor Rob Merrick: “These Conservatives don’t even know when they’re being insulted."
Here's the full story:
Theresa May has insisted the UK's relationship with the US is "great", as she sits down for talks with Donald Trump hours after humiliated her in an interview.
Speaking to reporters at Chequers, the prime minister said: "We have got a lot to discuss. We are going to be discussing the special relationship, which is great, between the UK and US.
"We are going to be discussing the real opportunities we have got to have this trade deal coming up when we leave the European Union.
"And of course we will discuss foreign policy and defence and security issues, where we work really closely together with the US."
Ms May said Mr Trump had done "a very good job" at Nato in encouraging other member states to up their military spending.
While Donald Trump has insisted her has a "very good" relationship with Theresa May, body language experts who these study pictures of them sitting down for talks at Chequers may have other ideas:
Donald Trump declined to answer a question from a US reporter about whether if he regretted remarks about Theresa May in his interview with The Sun. Footage of his response suggests he was less than pleased to be asked:
Here's some footage of Donald Trump and Theresa May addressing reporters before their talks at Chequers:
Drag artists are staging a protest in central London today over Donald Trump's visit.
We're streaming live from the demonstration over on Facebook.
As Donald Trump and Theresa May endure a tense and awkward encounter at Chequers, their spouses appear to be having a rather nicer time back in London.
While the president and prime minister talk trade and security, Melania Trump and Philip May have been playing bowls together during a visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Accredited members of the press were advised to wear flat shoes to the event, but the first lady's heels did not stop her from walking on to the bowling green and taking part in the game.
After rolling a ball down the green, she initiated a high five with a Chelsea pensioner who had given her effort a thumbs up.
Robert Shrimsley, political commentator at the Financial Times, suggests Donald Trump's criticism of a soft Brexit reflect his desire to weaken the EU as a whole:
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