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Theresa May said she can strike up a strong working relationship with Donald Trump because “opposites attract,” as she prepares to become the first world leader to meet the new US president on Friday.

Amid concerns in the UK about whether she is “grovelling” to Trump, who sparked fresh outrage on Wednesday when he expressed support for the effectiveness of torture, May told reporters on a plane to the US on Thursday that the two would get on.

Asked about the contrast between the brash, outspoken billionaire and a vicar’s daughter, May replied: “Haven’t you ever noticed, sometimes opposites attract?”

She also insisted that she would not be afraid to take Trump to task on the use of torture. “We have a very clear view: we condemn the use of torture, and my view on that won’t change, whether I’m talking to you, or talking to president Trump”, she told journalists en route to Philadelphia, where she was due to address senior Republicans before flying to Washington.

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And, from earlier: