World leaders gather to remember D-Day
The visit of Trump to the UK in May's final days in Downing Street overshadowed the build-up to the D-Day commemorations, and made for an awkward week for the prime minister.
At a joint media conference on Tuesday, when asked about future possible trade deals between the UK and US, and whether the National Health Service, known as the NHS, might feature in discussions, Trump said "I think everything is on the table... NHS or anything else," a comment that sparked an angry reaction across the political spectrum.
Health secretary and Conservative leadership candidate Matt Hancock tweeted "Dear Mr President. The NHS isn't on the table in trade talks - and never will be. Not on my watch."
Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said:" US corporations taking over our NHS is a nightmare scenario", while Sir Ed Davey, one of the contenders to be the next leader of the Liberal Democrats, tweeted "With friends like this, who needs enemies? Those who called for Brexit on the basis it would mean better trade deals for the UK should hang their heads in shame."
Trump's remarks about the NHS came the day after US ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson told a BBC interview that the NHS would be "on the table" as part of trade negotiations. But just hours after his comments at Downing Street, Trump appeared to contradict himself in an exclusive interview with the Good Morning Britain television program.
When the NHS was mentioned, Trump said: "I don't see it being on the table. Somebody asked me a question today and I say everything is up for negotiation, because everything is but I don't see that being… that's something that I would not consider part of trade. That's not trade."
Protests against Trump's visit took place in Portsmouth city center, not far from Southsea Common, where the D-Day commemorations were held. They came the day after a major anti-Trump rally in London's Trafalgar Square. After attending the Portsmouth ceremony, Trump flew to Ireland for his first visit to the country as president.
