Donald Trump brushes off protests and insists that the UK ‘really loves’ him The US president shrugged off protests against his upcoming arrival

Donald Trump has declared that he is very popular in the UK as he shrugged off the planned protests against his upcoming state visit.

The US president said he is “really loved” in Britain and has more ties with the country than any of his predecessors. Mr Trump’s mother, Mary Anne was from Scotland.

Speaking to The Sun, he said: “I don’t imagine any US president was ever closer to your great land.”

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Protests planned

In the exclusive interview which took place in The White House just days before his planned visit to Britain, he shrugged off the protests against his arrival.

Protesters are planning to take to the streets to make clear their opposition to the US leader and his policies.

Scotland Yard said it has an experienced team ready to lead the huge police and security operation.

‘Really loved in UK’

Mr Trump said: “You know there was a time quite a while ago, six or seven years ago, when a group of people came out against me in some form.

“They were totally over-ridden by another group of people that was far larger and everybody said, ‘let’s take a pass’.

“Now I think I am really – I hope – I am really loved in the UK. I certainly love the UK.”

Trump owns two golf courses in Scotland – Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire and Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.

“I don’t imagine any US president was ever closer to your great land” Donald Trump

And he added: “I have a mother born in Scotland. And as you know, Stornoway is serious Scotland. You don’t get any more serious than that. It is so beautiful. My mother loved Scotland. My mother also loved the Queen.”

Trump and his wife Melania will begin their state visit to the UK on Monday and will meet members of the royal family as well Prime Minister Theresa May and various politicians and ambassadors.

However, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable turned down an invitation to attend a state dinner in Trump’s honour at Buckingham Palace.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has been publicly critical of the president, was not invited.