May sidesteps book row and confirms Trump will visit UK

PM rejects concerns about US President’s mental state but gives no date for trip

Theresa May has brushed off concerns about the mental state of Donald Trump after an explosive account of life inside the White House questioned his fitness for high office.

The Prime Minister said in her dealings with Mr Trump she had always found he was determined to act in the best interests of the United States.

Appearing on BBC1’s The Andrew Marr Show, she also confirmed the president would be coming to the UK but gave no details about the visit.

Her comments came after Mr Trump proclaimed himself to be a “very stable genius” while branding author Michael Wolff a “fraud”.

In his book, Fire And Fury: Inside The Trump White House, Mr Wolff portrayed a dysfunctional administration where senior aides repeatedly questioned whether Mr Trump had the mental capacity to be president.

Asked whether concerns about his mental state were serious, Mrs May said: “No.

“As I say, when I deal with President Trump what I see is somebody who is committed to ensuring that he is taking decisions in the best interests of the United States.”

On the issue of a visit by the president to the UK, she said: “He will be coming to this country.”

She did not say, however, whether it would be a full state visit or simply a working visit to coincide with the opening of the new US embassy in London which is expected to take place in February.

Mrs May controversially extended the offer of a state visit when she became the first world leader to meet Mr Trump in the White House following his inauguration last year.

Since then, however, the president has indicated he does not want to take up the invitation if he is going to face mass demonstrations.

Earlier, Mr Trump hit back at the claims in Mr Wolff’s book in a series of trademark tweets.

“Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart,” he said.

“I went from very successful businessman, to top TV star, to president of the United States (on my first try).

“I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius ... and a very stable genius at that!”

Picture: Getty. US President Donald Trump arrives to speak to the media on Saturday at Camp David in Thurmont, Maryland. He met members of his Cabinet and Republican members of Congress to discuss the legislative agenda.