Donald Trump and Theresa May press conference: PM congratulates President on 'stunning victory' as UK visit announced - as it happened

Britain's Prime Minister becomes the first foreign leader to visit the Republican leader at the White House

Donald Trump says 'there goes that relationship' in response to BBC's Laura Kuenssberg's question

Donald Trump and Theresa May emphasised the strength of the "special relationship" between the US and the UK during a joint news conference in Washington DC on Friday - and appeared to brush aside the many issues they disagree on

She is the first foreign leader to meet with Mr Trump since he entered the White House.

Ms May attempted to reiterate her support for Nato and said sanctions would continue against Russia.

Meanwhile the new President tried to strike a more reasonable tone by saying he would back his new Defense Secretary's decision on torture despite his belief that 'it works'.

Read below for our full coverage of the event as it happened.

• Donald Trump announces state visit to Britain later this year
• May congratulates Trump on 'stunning election victory'
• Donald Trump to ban refugees from some Muslim countries today, White House official says
• Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin expected to discuss Ukraine sanctions in weekend phone call
• President's likely EU ambassador Ted Malloch wants to tame the bloc 'like he brought down Soviet Union'

[27 January 2017 20:25 · Adam Withnall]

Meanwhile, May presented her host with a traditional Scottish cup of friendship, known as a quaich, reflecting the US President's Scottish ancestry.

First Lady Melania Trump gave a pair of silver cufflinks by New York designer David Yurman for Mrs May's husband Philip.

And she received a gift of a hamper of produce from the Prime Minister's country residence Chequers, including apple juice, damson jam and marmalade, as well as Bakewell tarts and cranberry and white chocolate "shorties".

[27 January 2017 20:46 · Joe Watts]

Bye Trump. It was enlightening. Bigly. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3NIDLIXAAAn-Bv.jpg

[27 January 2017 20:48 · Joe Watts]

Now from one Brexit trade partner in the US, to another in Turkey. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3NIuKxXAAAJfBc.jpg

[27 January 2017 20:54 · Joe Watts]

"It is unclear who initiated contact" independent.co.uk/news/world/ame…

[27 January 2017 20:59 · Adam Withnall]

Next stop Turkey for Theresa May and her advisers. The RAF jet carrying the PM and her entourage is expected to touch down in the capital Ankara at 9.45am. She will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials for talks on the conflict in Syria, the Cyprus dispute and anti-terror cooperation

[27 January 2017 21:12 · Adam Withnall]

Meanwhile many are speculating about protests when Trump makes his state visit to the UK later this year.

Many expect a rerun of the worldwide Women's March the day after his inauguration where millions of women in over 30 countries marched in protest at his anti-women policies. 

[27 January 2017 21:14 · Adam Withnall]

[27 January 2017 21:15 · Adam Withnall]

[27 January 2017 21:15 · Adam Withnall]

[27 January 2017 21:44 · Adam Withnall]

The Independent's coverage of May's visit to the White House has now ended. 

Her visit is the first for any foreign leader since Trump entered the White House. 

Both sides were keen to emphasise the strength of the 'special relationship' between the US and the UK and appeared to brush aside the many issues they disagree on. 

May attempted to reiterate her support for Nato and continued sanctions against Russia – issues Trump has been wobbly on in the past.

Meanwhile the new President tried to strike a more reasonable tone by saying he would back his new Defense Secretary's decision on torture despite his belief that 'it works'.