US President Donald Trump has revealed that he rejected an offer of a meeting with Jeremy Corbyn during his visit to the UK, labelling the Labour leader a "negative force".



Corbyn had turned down an invitation to the state banquet hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace for the president on Monday night. And on Tuesday he addressed an anti-Trump protest rally in central London, condemning Trump's attacks on London mayor Sadiq Khan.

Shortly afterwards, Trump was asked at a Westminster press conference with prime minister Theresa May about Corbyn's decision to address the protesters and to snub the banquet.

"I don't know Jeremy Corbyn," the president replied. "He wanted to meet today. I said no. He is somewhat of a negative force. I have decided not to meet."

A Labour spokesperson confirmed that Corbyn did offer Trump a meeting, saying, “Jeremy Corbyn proposed a meeting with Donald Trump during the president's visit. Jeremy is ready to engage with the president on a range of issues, including the climate emergency, threats to peace, and the refugee crisis."