In a stunning exclusive interview with The Sun, US President Donald Trump has slammed UK Prime Minister Theresa May over her government’s approach to Brexit, warning that a soft Brexit would damage trade relations between the US and UK – potentially scuppering a deal at all.

The tweet below shows the frontpage headline in question, which was leaked last night ahead of this morning’s publication:

Following the President’s comments, the value of the Pound has fallen over half a percent against the US Dollar, currently sitting at $1.31234. The weakened Pound pushed the FTSE 100 up once more, peaking at 7,716.24 points but since falling back slightly to 7,685.20 points. The gain was a full percent but has since halved.

The interview with the President said that Trump believes the UK’s latest white paper on Brexit “would probably kill” a trade deal between America and Britain, suggesting that the UK can’t cosy up to both the United States and the European Union. Investors are worried that the tug of war over the UK’s trade allegiance will lead to a middle ground that neither party wants, hurting Britain more than picking one side or the other.

The Conservative Party has tried to play up last night’s dinner with the President at Blenheim Palace as a great success, but as Labour MP David Lammy points out below, praise may have come too early given today’s headlines.

Journalists and politicians have called President Trump’s interview a tactic, aimed at destabilising and unnerving Prime Minister May ahead of their talks today. With the US engaging in a global trade dispute and verging on a full trade war with China, securing a deal with the United Kingdom would look good for the President back home – a sign that he can keep the economy going even under duress from a trade war.

Protests are set to take place across the UK today against President Trump’s visit, with this blimp being flown at the largest protest in London this morning.