Donald Trump admitted he disagrees with Sir Keir Starmer over recognising a Palestinian state. The Prime Minister will reportedly go ahead with the move after the US President’s state visit to the UK wraps up.

When asked at a joint press conference this afternoon about Sir Keir’s plans, Mr Trump said: “I have a disagreement with the Prime Minister on that score, one of our few disagreements actually.”

The American leader, on an unprecedented second state visit to Britain, also insisted that “we have to have the hostages back immediately”. He accused Palestinian militant group Hamas of “putting the hostages up as bait” and described this as “pretty brutal”.

The Prime Minister has previously said he plans to recognise Palestinian statehood ahead of the United Nations general assembly in New York this month, if Israel does not meet a series of conditions to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

High-level meetings at the UN summit involving world leaders begin next week.

Sir Keir has held off on formally announcing the UK will recognise a Palestinian state until after Mr Trump leaves for fear it could dominate the joint press conference.

The Prime Minister has found himself at odds with the US administration over the move, which is opposed to official recognition of Palestine.

However other nations, including France, Australia and Canada, have said they plan to take the same step at the UN gathering.

Elsewhere during the press conference, Mr Trump said a new tech deal would help the US and UK “dominate” in the world of artificial intelligence (AI).

The tech prosperity deal signed at Chequers will see US firms invest in the UK and boost co-operation on AI, quantum and other emerging technologies.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir hailed a “new era” for the special relationship.