Trump UK visit live: Trump said he ate ‘whatever the hell they served us’ at Windsor banquet

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on the way back from his state visit, the US president claimed that Sir Sadiq had wanted to attend, but “I asked that he not be there”.

Sleeping on the streets and relying on charities for food in France, a 25-year-old Eritrean man boarded a dinghy bound for Dover in the hope he could escape to a better life in the UK.

But the man challenged his deportation in a last-ditch court hearing, with his lawyers arguing that he faced a real risk of homelessness and destitution once he was returned to France.

Read the full story here:

The King is set to be invited to the White House next year to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as the royals continue to play a leading role in “keeping Donald Trump sweet”.

Sources say a visit by either King Charles and Queen Camilla or Prince William and Princess Kate is a key part of Britain’s diplomacy with the current White House administration.

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox has the full story here:

It has been clear for some time that dealing with illegal migration is a political imperative. As has often been pointed out, the numbers of people seeking asylum by irregular routes, principally by crossing the English Channel in small boats, are high by historical standards, even if modest in relation to overall, lawful flows in and out of the UK.

The rise of Reform UK and recent sizeable demonstrations against migration may be largely attributed to a sense of public unease about the issue. It is corrosive. Democratic politicians have to face up to the political and practical challenge this represents, not only by countering extremist propaganda, myths and misinformation, but also by showing the public that some progress is being made to stabilise the situation.

“Delivery” is essential – and non-negotiable. When so many ministers across both mainstream parties have promised and failed to “stop the boats”, that is no mere routine public policy failure; it is eroding the confidence of some in the democratic political process itself. That is obviously a dangerous trend. It is certainly not an exaggeration to say that the future of the Labour government depends on its response.

The US president’s typically controversial suggestion to Keir Starmer will doubtless appeal to certain quarters. But perhaps inevitably, it’s not quite that simple, writes Sean O’Grady

Donald Trump has declared that spending time with the “wonderful” King was the highlight of his landmark state visit to the UK, as he lauded the royal family following the trip. The US leader remarked that he had viewed more paintings “than any human being has ever saw” during his stay.

When questioned about the menu at the Windsor Castle banquet held in his honour, Mr Trump candidly replied: “Whatever the hell they served us.”

Despite his casual recollection, guests at the opulent event – which he described as being attended by “the biggest people in the world” – were served a sophisticated meal.

The Independent’s Political Correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

After a nightmare return to parliament for Sir Keir, who saw the departure of both Lord Mandelson and his deputy Angela Rayner in the space of two weeks, the prime minister needed a boost amid growing speculation that he may not remain in post until the next election.

A Cabinet minister brushed off suggestions the military should be brought in to tackle illegal migration, as Donald Trump suggested during his state visit.

Peter Kyle was asked by ITV’s Good Morning Britain if he agreed with the US president that illegal migration “destroys countries from within”.

The Business Secretary replied: “No. What I do believe is that illegal migration is something that is impacting our politics here in the UK. It is something that the British public expect this Government to get a grip on.

“That is why today, when we have the second flight taking off with a migrant who doesn’t have the right to stay here being returned as part of the new returns agreement with France, this is a pilot. This is something we’re trialling.

“You can see that we’re pushing the boundaries of the law, but we are straining at the bit to do it. If we have to change the law, we will change the law, as you’ve seen with this Government as well.”

Addressing Mr Trump’s suggestion of calling in the military, Mr Kyle said: “Donald Trump also mentioned the military. We have the UK Border Force. We have the Navy that has the relationship with the Border Force that can be brought to bear if need be.”

The former head of the Royal Navy has hit back at Donald Trump’s call for the UK to draft in the military to end the small boats crisis, calling the suggestion “a load of nonsense”.

The US president on Thursday warned that illegal migration can “destroy” countries as he told the prime minister to “call out the military”, as Sir Keir Starmer struggles to bring illegal migration under control, with the number of crossings at a record high.

Labour minister Peter Kyle on Friday said that the Royal Navy could be called upon to tackle small boats crossing the English Channel “if needed”.

But former first sea lord Admiral Lord West said Mr Trump’s suggestion would make “no difference at all” because the UK cannot easily return boats to France.

Labour deputy leadership contender Bridget Phillipson has branded the controversial two child benefit cap ”spiteful”, as she tries to revive her stumbling campaign.

The education secretary, Keir Starmer’s preferred candidate, also claimed its abolition was “on the table”, months after Labour MPs were suspended from the party for voting for it to be scrapped.

But dumping the policy would cost about £3.5bn a year at a time when soaring borrowing figures have led to warnings that tax rises in November’s Budget now look “inevitable”.

Polls suggest Ms Phillipson is behind her opponent Lucy Powell, who Sir Keir sacked earlier this month, amid high dissatisfaction within the party leadership.