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 17:47 · Adam Withnall]

Welcome to The Independent's coverage of Theresa May's visit to the White House.

She is due to take part in a joint press coverage with new President Donald Trump.

[27 January 2017 17:57 · Adam Withnall]

The British PM and US President are due to speak at around 1pm eastern time, which is 6pm in the UK. Ms May arrived at the White House about an hour ago - the first foreign leader to visit since Trump took the oath of office last week

[27 January 2017 18:00 · Adam Withnall]

[27 January 2017 18:03 · Adam Withnall]

BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg has tweeted that the televised news conference has been delayed - perhaps by as much as half an hour. That could be because of problems getting into the White House reported by some British journalists after their date of births were submitted to the secret service using the UK format of day/month/year, rather than month/day/year

[27 January 2017 18:03 · Adam Withnall]

[27 January 2017 18:04 · Adam Withnall]

[27 January 2017 18:10 · Joe Watts]

Press prepares for May/Trump http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3MkS75WQAAjEMi.jpg

[27 January 2017 18:11 · Adam Withnall]

May and Trump's first official photocall took place in front of the contentious bust of Winston ChurchillTrump said it was "a great honour" to have the Churchill bust back in the Oval Office after Barack Obama was criticised for removing it.  

[27 January 2017 18:11 · Adam Withnall]

May and Trump are now standing at the podium - Trump speaking first

[27 January 2017 18:12 · Adam Withnall]

Trump says it is a great honour to have her visit - and reminds viewers his mother was born in Scotland