Jump directly to the content

ANTI-Donald Trump protesters have clashed with his supporters as tens of thousands marched through London today.

Crowds chanted "shame on you" and waved "dump Trump" banners during a mass demonstration in the capital this afternoon.

 Tens of thousands of demonstrators have descended on Trafalgar Square
29
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have descended on Trafalgar SquareCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Police were forced to step in as protesters clashed with Trump supporters near a packed Trafalgar Square.

Jeremy Corbyn, Ed Miliband and David Lammy were among up to 45,000 people to join the march through the capital's streets.

The Labour leader told the assembled protesters Mrs May shouldn't have "rolled out the red carpet" for the leader of the free world.

Corbyn cited Mr Trump's jibes about the NHS and London's crime levels in his speech against the president.

 Tempers flared during the mass demonstration in the capital today
29
Tempers flared during the mass demonstration in the capital todayCredit: Rex Features
 Police were forced to step in as demonstrators clashed with Trump supporters
29
Police were forced to step in as demonstrators clashed with Trump supportersCredit: Rex Features

However many Tory MPs and fans of The Donald on Twitter pointed out that he had previously invited the IRA to Parliament and called Hamas his "friends".

Celebrities including Bianca Jagger, Stephen Fry and actress Samantha Bond were also spotted at the event.

Police told The Sun they had made six arrests during the protests including one for assaulting a police officer.

Protests are also taking place in Windsor, Manchester, Sheffield, Norwich, Plymouth and Birmingham today.

Earlier a 20ft Trump baby blimp was inflated outside the House of Commons after London Mayor Sadiq Khan gave permission.

 Tempers flare outside a pub near Trafalgar Square this afternoon
29
Tempers flare outside a pub near Trafalgar Square this afternoonCredit: Rex Features
 A heavy police presence has been deployed to ensure the protest doesn't turn ugly
29
A heavy police presence has been deployed to ensure the protest doesn't turn uglyCredit: Rex Features

Mr Trump had earlier dismissed the stunt in his explosive Brexit interview with The Sun, saying: "I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London."

The President added: "I used to love London as a city. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?"

Up to 200,000 demonstrators were expected to turn out for London's "Together Against Trump" march by 2pm.

And the Metropolitan Police warned Trafalgar Square is close to capacity and officers may have to halt the rally.

It came as Mr Trump and Melania arrived at Windsor Castle to have tea with the Queen.

 Police warned Trafalgar Square was almost at capacity
29
Police warned Trafalgar Square was almost at capacityCredit: PA:Press Association
 Protesters waving 'Dump Trump' banners march down Regent Street in central London this afternoon
29
Protesters waving 'Dump Trump' banners march down Regent Street in central London this afternoonCredit: London News Pictures
Blimp of ‘baby’ Donald Trump that sparked row taken down after just TWO hours in Parliament Square

Earlier Theresa May held a lunchtime summit with the US President after he said she was wrecking Brexit.

The two leaders hosted a joint press conference at Chequers, the PM's country home, where Mr Trump lavished praise on Mrs May.

He said the US-UK relationship is currently at "the highest level of special" and spoke of his admiration for the PM.

And he shifted his stance on a possible post-Brexit trade deal - expressing optimism that America and Britain will be able to come to an agreement.

The President said: "Once the Brexit process is concluded and perhaps the UK has left the EU - I don't know what you're going to do, but whatever you're going to do is OK with me - just make sure you can trade with us, that's all that matters."

 Jeremy Corbyn is given a police escort through Trafalgar Square this afternoon
29
Jeremy Corbyn is given a police escort through Trafalgar Square this afternoonCredit: PA:Press Association
 The Labour leader addressed the crowds gathered at Trafalgar Square this evening
29
The Labour leader addressed the crowds gathered at Trafalgar Square this eveningCredit: PA:Press Association
 Former Labour chief Ed Miliband joined the masses
29
Former Labour chief Ed Miliband joined the massesCredit: Rex Features
 Mick Jagger's wife Bianca was also among the crowds to descend on the capital
29
Mick Jagger's wife Bianca was also among the crowds to descend on the capitalCredit: PA:Press Association
 Labour MP David Lammy was also at the march through central London
29
Labour MP David Lammy was also at the march through central LondonCredit: WENN
 Outspoken leftie Owen Jones wore a 'resist' t-shirt as he took to the streets this afternoon
29
Outspoken leftie Owen Jones wore a 'resist' t-shirt as he took to the streets this afternoonCredit: Rex Features

Meanwhile, Brits have backed Mr Trump over his astonishing Brexit blast.

A showed 51 per cent of people believe he was right to reveal his views on Britain leaving the EU.

And some 60 per cent of Brits say Mr Trump should meet Her Majesty.

Protesters gathered outside the BBC headquarters in Marylebone before setting off towards Trafalgar Square.

A wall of noise surged up Whitehall just before 2pm as thousands marched on Westminster.

Demonstrators blew whistles, banged cooking pots and chanted "shame on you"; as they reached Parliament Square.

They were met by the controversial Mr Trump baby blimp, reinflated after it earlier hovered above the capital for just two hours.

 Crowds were were met by the controversial Mr Trump baby blimp, reinflated after it earlier soared above the capital for just two hours
29
Crowds were were met by the controversial Mr Trump baby blimp, reinflated after it earlier soared above the capital for just two hoursCredit: PA:Press Association
 The 20ft balloon was carried aloft by a team of 'babysitters' wearing red baseball caps mocking the president's Make America Great Again slogan
29
The 20ft balloon was carried aloft by a team of 'babysitters' wearing red baseball caps mocking the president's Make America Great Again sloganCredit: PA:Press Association
 Up to 45,000 people lined the capital's streets while other mass protests took place in Manchester, Sheffield, Norwich, Plymouth and Birmingham
29
Up to 45,000 people lined the capital's streets while other mass protests took place in Manchester, Sheffield, Norwich, Plymouth and BirminghamCredit: Reuters

The huge caricature was carried aloft by a team of "babysitters" wearing red baseball caps mocking the president's "Make America Great Again" slogan.

Mid Sussex Tory MP Sir Nicholas Soames launched a scathing attack on the blimp as it hovered near the statue of his grandfather Sir Winston Churchill, branding it “utterly pathetic, pointless and graceless”.

Twitter users were equally unimpressed, with Nick Gee writing: "I assumed the #TrumpBabyBlimp was going to be the size of the Hindenburg. £16k for a party balloon.

"Hope they kept the receipt."

Others found the blimp a bit "embarrassing".

The "Women's March" and "Together Against Trump March" took place while Mr Trump was at Chequers for talks with Mrs May.

 A wall of noise surged up Whitehall just before 2pm as thousands marched on Westminster
29
A wall of noise surged up Whitehall just before 2pm as thousands marched on WestminsterCredit: �2018 Pete Maclaine / i-Images
 A sea of demonstrators marched through the capital's streets
29
A sea of demonstrators marched through the capital's streetsCredit: PA:Press Association
 A Trump supporter waves a banner in support of the US President
29
A Trump supporter waves a banner in support of the US PresidentCredit: Reuters
 Protesters turn out in force in Manchester for an anti-Trump demo
29
Protesters turn out in force in Manchester for an anti-Trump demoCredit: Mercury Press
 Crowds flooded George Square in Glasgow this evening
29
Crowds flooded George Square in Glasgow this eveningCredit: Alan MacGregor Ewing - The Sun Glasgow

Student Nick Harris, 20, from Lancaster, turned out in support of the US President's first state visit.

He told the Sun Online: "I love America and I think it's important to show we support its President.

"He was democratically elected. Why should anybody say he shouldn't come?

"I just wanted to show some people welcome him to our country."

Corbyn, who was given a police escort, addressed crowds packed into a near capacity Trafalgar Square.

The Labour leader said: "We are asserting our right to demonstrate, our right to free speech."

"When we unite together with common objectives, we can all win.";

The President sat down with the PM this morning hours after The Sun's world exclusive saw say she  wrecked Brexit and killed off any chance of a vital US trade deal.

 Donald Trump and the Queen inspected the Royal Guard of Honour
29
Donald Trump and the Queen inspected the Royal Guard of HonourCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Her Majesty smiles as she talks to the US President at Windsor Castle today
29
Her Majesty smiles as she talks to the US President at Windsor Castle todayCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Theresa May and Donald Trump met at Chequers for a crunch showdown
29
Theresa May and Donald Trump met at Chequers for a crunch showdownCredit: AP
 The pair appeared warm when they met today after Mr Trump's Brexit comments
29
The pair appeared warm when they met today after Mr Trump's Brexit commentsCredit: AP

After watching a joint US and UK military demonstration at Sandhurst army base Mr Trump took his official helicopter to Mrs May's country residence.

They later held a lunchtime summit after the American leader delivered a damning verdict on the Prime Minister’s EU negotiating strategy, just hours before he arrived in the UK.

Meanwhile the First Lady Melania Trump was on a joint visit the Royal Hospital Chelsea with the PM’s husband Philip May today.

After tea with the Queen, the First Couple flew up to Scotland for a private two-day visit, spending time over the weekend at his Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire.

Anti-Trump protesters are also expected to stage demonstrations outside the plush course in South West Scotland and five-star resort in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire.

And some were there when his plane touched down in Scotland.

Mr Trump told The Sun during his Brussels visit earlier this week: “If they do a deal like that, we would be dealing with the European Union instead of dealing with the UK, so it will probably kill the deal.”

 A small crowd gathered to see the Trump blimp raised into the air this morning
29
A small crowd gathered to see the Trump blimp raised into the air this morningCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The Trump balloon hovers next to the statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
29
The Trump balloon hovers next to the statue of former British Prime Minister Winston ChurchillCredit: AP:Associated Press

His comments were part of his most brutally honest verdict yet on Britain, in an interview with The Sun which also saw him:

 The balloon rose to fly around 10 metres off the ground, next to Parliament and the River Thames
29
The balloon rose to fly around 10 metres off the ground, next to Parliament and the River ThamesCredit: Getty - Contributor
 The Trump blimp was raised over Parliament Square this morning
29
The Trump blimp was raised over Parliament Square this morningCredit: Prime Media

Brexiteers and Remainers have interpreted the interview in a number of different ways, with Eurosceptic MPs saying Mr Trump's remarks should kill off the PM's Chequers plan.

But pro-EU politicians insisted the comments prove Brexit is a mistake.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, chair of the European Research Group, added: "The UK wants to do a trade deal with Donald Trump, and he said if you want to do a trade deal with the United States this isn't the way to do it."


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.


 

Topics