US President Donald Trump “to visit UK in July”

US President Donald Trump is to make his first official visit the UK this July, the UK government is poised to confirm.

Update: This has now been confirmed – more details are here

According to Sky News, Trump’s trip has been scheduled for mid-July and will be announced in the next day or two.

Earlier this week, a Number 10 spokesman confirmed that officials were putting together a date for a working visit – as distinct from a state visit, which would include meeting the Queen – but no date had been fixed. This afternoon, a spokesman reiterated that position.

It had been expected that Trump, who is currently hosting French President Emmanuel Macron, would open the US embassy in London in February, but he claimed to have cancelled the trip because of Nine Elms’ “off location” and the poor property deal.

However, it is thought he was concerned about protests, which have already put off plans for a procession up the Mall and a state banquet.

The relationship between Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May started well but has suffered in recent months, after he was criticised for retweeting videos by far right group Britain First.