DONALD Trump has branded Jeremy Corbyn a “negative force” after snubbing the Labour leader by refusing to meet him.
The move came after Mr Corbyn had turned down an invitation to attend Monday’s state banquet hosted by the Queen and as he launched an attack on Far Right politics when he addressed an anti- Trump rally on the second day of the US President's state visit.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Theresa May, Mr Trump, asked about the Labour leader, told reporters he did "not know him, never met him, never spoke to him".
But the President then revealed: “He wanted to meet today or tomorrow and I decided I would not do that. He is, from where I come from, somewhat of a negative force.
“People should look to do things correctly as opposed to criticise. I really don't like critics as much as I like and respect people who get things done; so, I decided not to meet," declared Mr Trump.
A Labour spokesman confirmed Mr Corbyn had offered to meet, saying: "Jeremy Corbyn proposed a meeting with Donald Trump during the President's visit.
"Jeremy is ready to engage with the President on a range of issues, including the climate emergency, threats to peace and the refugee crisis."
In addressing anti-Trump protesters in central London, the Labour leader launched an attack on Far Right politics but did not mention the President by name.
“I say to our visitors that have arrived this week, think on please about a world that is one of peace and disarmament, is one of recognising the values of all people, is a world that defeats racism, defeats misogyny, defeats the religious hatreds that are being fuelled by the Far Right in politics in Britain, in Europe and the United States.”
Mr Corbyn insisted such people had “no answers” for the young growing up worried about their future, for communities that had lost their industries, for desperate people across the world who wanted somewhere to live, medical help and support and who were going through a mental health crisis of any sort.
Earlier, Labour’s Emily Thornberry denounced Mr Trump as a “sexual predator” and a “racist”.
Outside the Foreign Office, where the President and the Prime Minister were holding their press conference, thousands of protesters gathered from Trafalgar Square through Whitehall to Parliament Square, where the famous Trump baby blimp made another appearance.
Inside the Foreign Office in the grand Durbar Court, Mr Trump and Mrs May were talking up the special relationship.
The President described it as the “greatest alliance the world has ever known” while the PM hailed it as a “precious and profound friendship”.
Asked if she should have taken Mr Trump’s advice last year on Brexit, Mrs May recalled: "I seem to remember the President suggested I sued the European Union, which we didn't do. We went into negotiations and we came out with a good deal."
Mr Trump responded: "I would have sued and settled, maybe, but you never know. She's probably a better negotiator that I am. She has got it, in a sense - that deal is teed up; they have to do something.”
He suggested the PM would “not be given the credit that you deserve if they do something but I think you deserve a lot of credit; I really do."
Earlier in the day, the two leaders led delegations that touched on climate change, Iran and Huawei.
During the press conference, the President was asked about the Government considering involving the Chinese tech giant in the UK’s 5G network; the US has blacklisted the company for fear of Chinese state espionage.
Mr Trump delicately sidestepped the issue, insisting: “We have an incredible intelligence relationship and we will be able to work out any differences.”
He continued his spat with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, saying: “He has done a poor job; crime is up, a lot of problems, and I don't think he should be criticising a representative of the US that can do so much good for the UK...
"He should be positive not negative; he is a negative force not a positive force.”
On the anti-Trump protests involving thousands of people down Whitehall, the President dismissed them as "fake news".
"We left the Prime Minister, the Queen, the royal family, there were thousands of people on the streets cheering; even coming over today there were thousands of people cheering.
"Then I heard there were protests. I said: 'Where are the protests? I don't see any protests.' I did see a small protest today when I came - very small - so a lot of it is fake news I hate to say."
In a separate development, Mr Trump appeared to be turning one eye to Mrs May’s successor.
Referring to his contacts with some of the Conservative leadership hopefuls, he told the news conference: "I know Boris. I like him. I have liked him for a long time. He would do a very good job. I know Jeremy, he would do a very good job." he said, adding to laughter from reporters: "I don't know Michael; would he do a good job Jeremy?"
Later, Nigel Farage, the Brexit Party leader, described as a “friend” by the President, was spotted being driven to the US ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park.
Afterwards, the MEP tweeted: “Good meeting with President Trump; he really believes in Brexit and is loving his trip to London.”
Mr Johnson turned down a meeting with Mr Trump but they are believed to have had a "friendly and productive" 20-minute call. The President is expected to have private meetings with Mr Hunt and Mr Gove on Wednesday when he will attend the 75th anniversary D-Day commemoration in Portsmouth.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel