Trump London protests - as it happened: President denies taped criticism of May as '100,000' protest US leader in London
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Your support makes all the difference.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?”
Trump repeats an anecdote about how he supposedly predicted the result of the Brexit referendum while opening his Turnberry hotel and golf club the day before the vote. This cannot be true, as he in fact opened Turnberry the day after the referendum.
Donald Trump says Theresa May was not angry that he attacked her Brexit plan in The Sun. He says he told her: “Don’t worry, it’s only the press."
After the newspaper's political editor, Tom Newton-Dunn, who wrote the story, is in the audience, he asks him why the story did not include his praise for May.
After Newton-Dunn says it did, Trump responds that he'd prefer the praise to have been in the headline.
A spokesman for The Sun has declined to comment after Mr Trump's described its interview with him as "fake news".
The president claimed Tom Newton-Dunn's write-up omitted his praise for Theresa May.
Some positive comments made by Mr Trump about the prime minister did appear on page two of the paper, including his insistence that he still thinks she is "a very good person".
He is also quoted as saying: "I think she is a nice person. I get along with her very nicely."
While Theresa May and Donald Trump's press conference was taking place, protests against the president have been hitting their stride in London.
Our correspondent Maya Oppenheim sends this:
The US president's face could be glimpsed in hues of tango orange in every corner of the street as demonstrators gathered for the women's march.
With not a cloud in sight, women of all ages marched stridently away from Portland Place at 12.30pm.
Following the same route as the main protest, they are making their way down Regents Street and Haymarket before finishing in Trafalgar Square for the rally.
As the sun beats down, protesters march away from Portland Place.
Oompa-loompa coloured cardboard cutouts of the US president float above the crowds and protesters brandish placards referencing everything from Mr Trump's infamous 'pussy-grabbing' remarks to his apparent adoration of Boris Johnson.
The Independent's Angela Christofilou has been snapping pictures of the protests in London:
More than 100,000 protesters have joined the Together Against Trump march, organisers say.
One told a crowded gathering in the packed-out Portland Place: "We have been told by the police that there are over 100,000 people here."
Chants of "Say it loud, say it clear: Donald Trump's not welcome here" rang out.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman told The Independent the force could not confirm protest attendance figures.
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