Keir Starmer and Donald Trump land in Aberdeen as John Swinney prepares for awkward meeting after President shut down IndyRef2 calls

Donald Trump gives Keir Starmer two top tips to defeat 'friend' Nigel Farage

Donald Trump has advised Sir Keir Starmer to cut taxes and slash illegal immigration to defeat his "friend" Nigel Farage at the next General Election.

Trump, who admitted he likes both the Prime Minister and Reform UK leader, delivered his two-part verdict on what will matter in the minds' of voters in 2019 during a sit-down chat with Starmer.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said: "I don't know the politics of it, I don't know where they stand.

"I would say one's slightly liberal, not that liberal, slightly, and the other one's slightly conservative, but they're both good men."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Angela Rayner gives a speech as she welcomes England Women's team to No10

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner gave a speech at Downing Street as she welcomed the England Women's team.

Filling in for Sir Keir Starmer, Rayner said: "The Lionesses have brought it home again... what a fantastic feeling that is.

"The Prime Minister is disappointed that he can't be here, but like the rest of us, he was cheering you on.

"You've made us all so proud. Role models like you send such a powerful message. The Lionesses are a shining example of talent and excitement for women's football."

'I will NOT take lectures': Reform councillor rages at Labour MP over rape gangs in explosive 'lawless Britain' clash

Tensions boiled over in a tense GB News exchange this evening, as Reform Westminster City Councillor Laila Cunningham blew a fuse after being challenged by Labour MP Barry Gardiner about her party's ambitious plans to tackle crime.

Tensions were ratcheting up throughout the exchange as Gardiner repeatedly asked how Nigel Farage's populist party would pay for its radical proposals.

Cunningham said "I have all the answers" before telling Gardiner her party has already put together a costings document, only for the Labour MP to confirm he has already seen it.

READ THE FULL STORY AND WATCH THE EXPLOSIVE ARGUMENT HERE

Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump land in Aberdeenshire

Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have touched down at the President's Aberdeenshire golf resort.

After flying on Air Force One, the pair completed the lasts stretch of their journey aboard Trump's Marine One helicopter.

Starmer and Trump will be having dinner alongside the Scottish First Minister John Swinney later.

Donald Trump hosts Sir Keir Starmer on Air Force One as pair set off for Aberdeen

Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer have set off Aberdeen on Air Force One as the US President prepares to meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney.

The US President is set to have dinner with Swinney this evening.

He is also set to open up a second golf course at his club in Aberdeen.

Sir Ed Davey warns Sir Keir Starmer not to take Donald Trump on his word

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has warned Sir Keir Starmer that taking Donald Trump on his word over Ukraine and Gaza would be "naive".

Davey said: "Warm words from Donald Trump on ending Putin's war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza are welcome, but the Prime Minister would be naive to take him at his word. We know Trump's unpredictability all too well by now.

"In both Ukraine and the Middle East, the situation is utterly intolerable, and the Prime Minister needs to work with our allies to put a proper plan in place, so that we can lead even if Donald Trump continues to refuse to act.

"That should start with us recognising the state of Palestine, and seizing frozen Russian funds in the UK."

Sadiq Khan hits back at Donald Trump after labelling the London Mayor a 'nasty person'

Sadiq Khan has hit back at US President Donald Trump after being called a "nasty person".

A spokesman for the London Mayor said: "Sadiq is delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world.

"He'd see how our diversity makes us stronger, not weaker; richer, not poorer.

"Perhaps these are the reasons why a record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship under his presidency."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Senior Ukrainian aide thanks Donald Trump for altering Putin's deadline

Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak has praised Trump's decision to reduce the 50-day deadline for a ceasefire he had initially given Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a post on X, Yermak thanked Trump for "standing firm and delivering a clear message of peace through strength".

He said: "Putin respects only power, and that message is loud and clear. When America leads with strength, others think twice."

Putin has been given a "10 to 12-day deadline from today" by Trump.

Key points from the Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer meeting

The bilateral meeting between Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer has concluded.

Lasting more than an hour, here are the key takeaways:

• Trump insisted that "we have to get the kids fed" in Gaza and called the situation "terrible"
• The US President set a new deadline of "about 10 to 12 days from today" for Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine
• London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been called a "nasty person" by Trump and told Starmer that he has done "a terrible job"
• The US President praised King Charles, saying he is a "big fan" of the monarch and is hopeful for a second state visit
• Trump told reporters the Epstein files are a "hoax" and stated that he "never went to his island"

Donald Trump insists he 'never went to' Epstein's Island and calls the scandal 'ridiculous'

Donald Trump said he never went to Jeffrey Epstein's island and called the scandal "ridiculous".

When asked about the Epstein files, Trump said: "Well, I haven't been overly interested in it; it's a hoax that's been built up way beyond proportion.

"But I can say this: those files were run by the worst scum on earth. They were run by Comey, they were run by Garland, they were run by Biden and all of the people that actually ran the Government.

"Those files were run for years by those people. If they had anything, I assume they would have released it. The whole thing is a hoax. They ran the files. I was running against somebody that ran the files. If they had something they would have released."

Speaking to reporters, Trump explained that he "wouldn't talk to Epstein... because he did something that was inappropriate".

The US President continued: "He hired help, and I said don't ever do that again. He's stolen people that work for me, I said don't ever do that again. He did it again, and I threw him out of the place. I threw him out, and that was it."

Trump added that he "never went to the island".

He stated: "I did turn it down, but a lot of people in Palm Beach were invited to his island.

"In one of my very good moments, I turned it down. I didn't want to go to his island."

Donald Trump calls London Mayor Sadiq Khan a 'nasty person'

The US President has called London Mayor Sadiq Khan a "nasty person" and said he has done "a terrible job" in the capital.

Speaking to reporters, Donald Trump said: "I'm not a fan of your mayor. I think he's done a terrible job, the Mayor of London… a nasty person."

Sir Keir Starmer jumped to Khan's defence, saying: "He's a friend of mine, actually."

Trump went on to say: "I think he's done a terrible job. But I would certainly visit London."

WATCH NOW: Donald Trump and Keir Starmer clash over net zero 

Donald Trump gives Keir Starmer two top tips to defeat ‘friend’ Nigel Farage

Donald Trump has said that Sir Keir Starmer should cut taxes and slash illegal immigration to defeat his "friend" Nigel Farage at the next General Election.

During a press conference at the US President’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland, Trump said: “I don’t know the politics of it, I don’t know where they stand. I would say one’s slightly liberal, not that liberal, slightly, and the other one’s slightly conservative, but they’re both good men.”

He added: “Politics is pretty simple, I assume there’s a thing going on between you and Nigel and it’s okay, it’s two parties.

“But generally speaking the one who cuts taxes the most, the one who gives you the lowest energy prices and the best kinds of energy, the one who keeps you out of wars...

“You have a few basics and you can go back a thousand years, a million years, whoever does these things.

“Low taxes, keep us safe, keep us out of wars, no crime, stop the crime, and in your case a big immigration component, because I know that your attitude has become strong on immigration, strong on the toughness on immigration.”

The US President concluded: “I think the one that’s toughest and most competent on immigration’s going to win the election.

“But then you add low taxes and you add the economy, he did a great thing with the economy, a lot of money’s going to come in because of the deal that was made. But I think that immigration is now bigger than ever before.”

Vladimir Putin issued ultimatum as Donald Trump warns of further sanctions

Donald Trump has issued a fresh ultimatum to Russian leader Vladimir Putin amid tensions over a peace deal with Ukraine, stating he's "got to make a deal".

Speaking to reporters, the US President declared that "too many people are dying", warning of "further sanctions" for Putin if he doesn't act.

Addressing the current situation between Russia and Ukraine, Trump said: "We're going to do secondary sanctions unless we make a deal.

"We might make a deal, we don't know. We've done so many peace deals, and this is the one I started out with."

Recalling a phone call he had with Putin, Trump revealed the Russian leader asked for "help with Iran".

Trump recounted: "President Putin called me. He wanted to know if I could help him with Iran.

"I said, no, I don't need your help with Iran. I need your help with Russia. And so that's the one deal that continues to linger."

Making clear the impact of Russia's continued invasion of Ukraine, Trump declared that the "US and UK aren't losing", but "Russia is losing".

READ THE FULL STORY

Donald Trump jokes as he warns against the UK censoring Truth Social

When asked by media on his thoughts about "new powers to censor" Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, the US President said: "I don't think he's going to censor my sit because I say only good things".

Trump jokingly asked Keir Starmer to "please uncensor my site".

It prompted the Prime Minister to say "we're not censoring anyone", adding: "We've got measures which are there to protect children ... from sites like suicide sites".

"(It's) nothing about censoring free speech," Starmer added.

"Free speech in this country has been for a very long time ... we're very proud of it ... I don't see that as a free speech issue."

Trump interjected that a similar bill was passed in congress "headed up by my wife" which aimed at pulling "bad stuff off" the internet to protect children.

"I cannot imagine him censoring Truth Social," Trump said.

"It's been a very big success... I only say good things about him and his country so if they censor me then you're making a mistake."

US President says he's stopping 'about a war a month'

Donald Trump declared "our hearts in the right place" when talking about the United States and United Kingdom's support over the situation in Gaza.

"We have some good news because the recent war ... the newest of the five, now this would be six that we've stopped," he said.

"I'm averaging about a war a month."

Donald Trump says 'people can't forget' atrocities of October 7

When discussing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Donald Trump said "people can't forget" what happened on October 7 in Israel.

"They tend to forget it," he said.

"That was one of the most awful things I have ever seen."

Scottish First Minister wants US to pressure Israeli Government

John Swinney said he will look to make sure Donald Trump knows the “strength of feeling” in Scotland over the humanitarian situation in Gaza ahead of their meeting on Tuesday.

The Scottish First Minister said the US President was “best placed” to put pressure on the Israeli government.

The pair are due to meet when President Trump opens his new golf course in Aberdeenshire, however, the First Minister's team have not denied reports they will meet for dinner on Monday.

Speaking to the PA news agency, the First Minister said: “I want to use the opportunity of President Trump’s visit in Scotland to pursue some of the domestic and international concerns of the people of Scotland.”

US President rejects Israeli PM's starvation claim

When asked about Benjamin Netanyahu's claim there was no starvation in Gaza, Donald Trump told media that "those children look very hungry".

It comes after the Israeli Prime Minister denied his country was carrying out a campaign of starvation in Gaza, saying it was a "bold faced lie".

"There is no policy of starvation in Gaza and there is no starvation in Gaza," he said.

Trump said he spoke to Netanyahu, advising him that Israel needed to carry out its war "a different way" and there should be a stronger focus on "food and safety".

Keir Starmer added that the humanitarian crisis in the enclave was an "absolute catastrophe" and what British people were "revolted" by what they were seeng.

Donald Trump's Gaza priority is 'getting people fed'

The US President was questioned about Gaza, saying "we've ... given a lot of money to Gaza for food and everything else".

"A lot of that money is stolen by Hamas and a lot of the food is stolen," he added.

"But we've very much involved and I think it's one of the reasons I'm here. We'll be talking about Gaza."

However, when pushed on his thoughts about Prime Minister wanting to recognise Palestine, Trump said his priority was "getting people fed right now, for me that's the number one position".

He earlier said "I'm not going to take a position. I don't mind (Starmer) taking a position".

"You have a lot of people starving people," Trump said.

Donald Trump hails the UK for 'doing a fantastic thing' on migrant crisis

Donald Trump said the UK is “doing a fantastic thing” when questioned about how he would respond illegal boats arriving from France.

The US President said: “If you’re stopping immigration and stopping the wrong people, … my hats are off to you. You’re doing, not a good thing, you’re doing a fantastic thing.

“So I know nothing about the boats, but if the boats are loaded up with bad people, and they usually are, because, you know, other countries don’t send their best they send people that they don’t want, and they’re not stupid people, and they send the people that they don’t want.”

Trump turned to Starmer before saying, "I've heard that you've taken a much stronger stance on this".

US President will 'take a look' at 10 per cent tariff rate

Donald Trump said "we're going to look at" the 10 per cent tariff rate imposed on the UK.

"We want to make the Prime Minister happy," the US President added.

It comes after Trump imposed a 10 per cent tariff on most UK goods imported into the US.

Donald Trump praises 'unparalleled' relationship with Keir Starmer as the two meet in Scotland

In welcoming questions from reporters after greeting Keir Starmer, the US President said "the Prime Minister did a great job" with the UK-US trade deal.

"You know, they've been trying to make that deal for 12 years and he got it done," Trump said.

"So everybody respects it, there's going to be a lot of jobs ... here and (it will be) great for America."

Trump added: "Our relationship is unparalleled".

"But it keeps it even closer, you know, when you're able to have a good trade deal," he said.

'Awkward position': Nigel Farage won't meet Donald Trump in Scotland

GB News reporter Adam Cherry asked the Reform UK leader about potentially meeting up with Donald Trump during his four-day Scotland visit.

"I'm in a slightly awkward position ... or he's in a slightly awkward position with me," Nigel Farage said.

"I can't just bowl up on a friendly trip for diplomatic reasons ... whilst he's there with the Prime Minister negotiating steel tariffs ... it just doesn't work."

Addressing whether he was on "good terms" with Trump, the Reform leader said he had dinner with Donald Trump Jr "the other week".

"I'm on good terms with the administration, my relationship with Trump has always been one of friendship, but right at the moment, diplomatically, it just really doesn't work," Farage said.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Reform UK 'will repeal' safety bill

Reform UK's DOGE Unit Chair Zia Yusuf has declared an elected Reform UK Government "will repeal" the "online safety act" which he believes does nothing to protect children.

He claimed the "terrifying" bill would instead "suppress free speech".

"I don't think there is a political figure in our lifetimes who has a longer track record of decades, other than Nigel, who has spoken about this," Yusuf said.

"We will repeal this act as one of the first things a Reform Government does."

Farage said "of course we want to find a way of protecting young people of not getting hold of harmful" content.

He said "what we've seen over the weekend" is driving people towards "VPNs and to potentially towards the dark web".

"We might find young people accessing even more dangerous content than they were before this legislation came in," Farage added.

Sadiq Khan accused of 'cowardice' after refusing Nigel Farage debate

Sadiq Khan has been accused of "cowardice" and "running away" from a debate with Nigel Farage on crime.

Reform UK Chairman for Sutton Coldfield Mark Hoath told GB News that the London Mayor was doing a "disastrous job" of controlling the city.

It comes after Farage challenged Khan in a social media post to a "debate on crime in London".

The Reform UK leader said the city had become "lawless under his watch".

A spokesman for Khan dismissed the invitation, saying it was a "political stunt" and that he was "too busy working for Londoners to get crime down".

Top detective joins Reform as crime adviser

A detective who caught some of Britain's worst serial killers and rapists has joined Nigel Farage and Reform UK in a bid to clean up "lawless Britain".

Reform have appointed former detective chief inspector Colin Sutton as its first police and crime adivser.

He led the hunt for serial killer Levi Bellfield along with 'Night Stalker' rapist.

It comes as Farage set out a plan to halve crime in the UK in five years if his party was to win the next general election.

He said he would spend £7 billion on policies towards this goal, including recruiting 30,000 more police officers.

Tory MP quizzed over 'impractical' solution to Epping migrant hotel crisis

Conservative MP Matt Vickers has clashed with GB News host Stephen Dixon over his calls to shut down the Epping migrant hotel.

Stephen declared that the Tories solution would simply "move the problem somewhere else".

It comes as the pair discusses the protests against the use of the Bell Hotel in Essex where Stephen argued that closing the hotels is "not remotely practical" as the migrants are "already in Britain".

Vickers told GB News that he believed the hotels "should be closed".

"I think what's gone on there and what is ... thought to have gone on in that part of the world is absolutely terrible," he added.

"I think it should be closed, and I think we ned to be closing more of these hotels."

The MP defended the use of the Conservatives' Rwanda scheme, saying "the only way we're going to solve this is by stopping people arriving, by putting that deterrent in place and making sure that people know ... they're not going to get to stay".

READ FULL STORY HERE

PM to raise 'conflict in Gaza' with Trump in Scotland

Jonathan Reynolds has outlined the key talking points his boss Keir Starmer will discuss with Donald Trump ahead of their meeting in Scotland today.

While playing a small role as the Prime Minister is set to discuss the trade relationship between the UK and US, he said "the conflict in Gaza" will be high up the list.

"(They will also discuss) the conflict in Gaza as you rightly say," Reynolds said on GB News this morning.

"The horrendous circumstances and the human suffering we're seeing there."

Reynolds said the United States has a "major role and influence" in the Middle East and Starmer will also discuss the dire situation in Ukraine.

There's only 'one law of the land', Jonathan Reynolds MP says

The Business and Trade Secretary has told GB News that he is "concerned" after it emerged that a Government jobs site is advertising a role in a sharia court.

Jonathan Reynolds MP added: "I don't know what has gone on here".

"I can tell you that (under) no circumstances be a Government job, this website is used by other organisations to advertise roles," he said.

"You're right to say ... there is one law of the land in England and Wales, there is no legal recognition of Sharia processes or legal codes."

Starmer to meet Trump in Scotland to discuss trade and middle east

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet Donald Trump in Scotland later today.

The pair are expected to discuss trade and growing tensions surrounding the situation in Gaza along with the Middle East.

After the US President secured a trade deal with the European Union in what he labelled as the "biggest in the world", Trump and Starmer are set to talk about an existing deal to reduce tariffs imposed by the US.

The discussions are also set to be about what Starmer said was the "unspeakable suffering and starvation in Gaza" as he called for an "immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages".

The pair will meet at Trump's golf club in Turnberry before setting off for Aberdeen for a private engagement.

Starmer and Trump are expected to speak about 12pm.

Streeting says UK won't be 'held to ransom' by doctors' union

Wes Streeting has praised resident doctors who did not strike over the weekend while taking aim at the doctors' union for what he says was "completely unnecessary" industrial action.

In a statement, the Health Secretary thanked NHS staff for "the massive shift they've put in this weekend to minimise the disruption to patients".

"I've been on calls with operational leaders and frontline clinicians, and I've been inspired by the stories of what NHS staff are doing to pick up the slack left by striking resident doctors," he said.

"We will continue to work with staff from the frontline to the command centre to reduce the impact on patients of these completely unnecessary strikes.

"The health service, the government and the country will not be held to ransom by the leadership of the BMA."