Theresa May has promised to have “very frank” conversations with Donald Trump about the importance of the European Union remaining intact when they meet for talks.

The Prime Minister used an interview with the Financial Times to say she would not hide policy differences and would stress the need for Nato to remain strong.

Mrs May said she was “confident” of striking a trade deal with America days after Mr Trump publicly declared he would hope to strike a quick agreement.

She also appeared to reject comparisons favoured by Mr Trump that their partnership could be like that between Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, saying she does not want to “emulate" the past.