US-UK relationship indispensable, says Trump
London, July 13 : US President Donald Trump on Friday said his country's relationship with the UK was "indispensable", just hours after his comments attacking Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan emerged.
At a news conference following talks at the Prime Minister's country residence, Trump said: "The relationship between our two nations is indispensable to the cause of liberty, justice, and peace."
He also said that "whatever" Britain does after it leaves the EU is "OK with us" as long as the US and UK can continue to trade together and called Brexit an "incredible opportunity", the BBC reported.
"Once the Brexit process is concluded, and perhaps the UK has left the EU - I don't know what they're going to do, but whatever you do is OK with me. That's your decision. Whatever you're going to do is OK with us. Just make sure we can trade together. That's all that matters," Trump said.
On her part, the British leader said they had discussed plans for an "ambitious" trade agreement.
However, Trump's comments were in stark contrast to what he said in an interview to the Sun tabloid that was published on Thursday.
He had said that May had ignored his advice on Brexit and warned that the UK will probably not get any future trade deal with the US, if it goes ahead with May's plan for post-Brexit ties with the European Union.
Trump said May's plan would "probably kill the deal" as it would mean the US "would be dealing with the EU" instead of with the UK.
He had also praised May's Conservative Party rival and former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, saying that he would make a "great Prime Minister", adding "I think he's got what it takes".
But later, Trump criticised the Sun's report by calling it "fake news". "I didn't criticize the Prime Minister. I have a lot of respect for her. And unfortunately, there was a story that was done, which was, you know, generally fine. But it didn't put in what I said about May. And I said tremendous things."
He said he had not given May advice on how to deal with the EU but "did give her a suggestion... and I think she found it maybe too brutal". Trump added that he had a recording of the interview and it would support his argument.
Meanwhile, thousands of people were protesting in central London against his visit. A large balloon, portraying the President as a baby, was floated in Parliament Square as part of the demonstrations. Other protests were due to take place across the UK on Friday and Saturday.
May has been making the case for a US free trade deal with Trump, on his first UK visit as President. She said the US was "keen" to do a deal with the UK, adding: "We will do a trade deal with them and with others around the rest of the world".
She maintained the government's Brexit agreement "delivers" on the referendum vote.
Earlier, Trump said he and May had spoken for an hour-and-a-half at the black-tie dinner, which he attended with his wife Melania at Blenheim Palace on Thursday evening. "I think we probably never developed a better relationship than last night," he said.
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BMW hit-and-run case: HC refuses to release accused Mihir Shah on ground of 'illegal' arrest
Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Monday refused to release Mihir Shah, the main accused in a BMW hit-and-run case, on the ground of "illegal" arrest.
Shah, the 24-year-old son of a former Shiv Sena leader, and his driver Rajrishi Bidawat had filed petitions in the HC claiming they have been illegally detained and sought immediate release.
Shah was arrested on July 9, two days after he allegedly rammed his BMW car into a two-wheeler in Mumbai's Worli area, killing 45-year-old woman Kaveri Nakhwa and leaving her husband Pradeep injured.
His driver Bidawat, who was also present in the car at the time of the accident, was arrested on the day of the incident.
As per their pleas, the police had not informed them the grounds of their arrest at the time, which they claimed was in violation of the law.
A division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande on Monday dismissed the petitions.
"Both the petitions are dismissed," the court said.
The duo sought their release, claiming any further detention would be in utter violation of the constitutional mandate and a failure to comply with Section 50 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Under this section, the police, while arresting a person, have to communicate to him/her full particulars of the offence for which he/she is being arrested or other grounds for such arrest.
Both Shah and Bidawat are presently in judicial custody.
In their habeas corpus (produce the person) petitions filed in the HC in August, Shah and Bidawat claimed their detention was illegal and sought that they be released immediately.
Shah, in the plea, sought quashing of the orders passed by a local court remanding him first in police custody and then judicial custody.
He also sought for his arrest to be declared as illegal.
Shah is accused of speeding off towards the Bandra Worli Sea Link after the accident, even as the woman remained on the bonnet of the car and then got entangled in its wheels, for a distance of more than 1.5 kilometres.
As per police, Shah, who fled from the scene, was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Mihir Shah's father and former Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah had also been arrested in the case, but was later granted bail.
