Donald Trump leaves UK as he praises Vladimir Putin for ‘one of best ever’ World Cups

Donald Trump congratulated Vladimir Putin on "one of the best ever" World Cups as he jetted off for talks with the Russian president, bringing an end to his whirlwind UK visit.

The US president departed Glasgow Prestwick Airport just after 4pm on Sunday, completing a four day stay during which he met Theresa May and the Queen.

But his visit will be largely remembered for huge mass protests organised in London and cities across the country.

Mr Trump is flying to Helsinki for a long-delayed and much anticipated first summit with Mr Putin.

He tweeted on Sunday evening: "Congratulations to France, who played extraordinary soccer, on winning the 2018 World Cup.

"Additionally, congratulations to President Putin and Russia for putting on a truly great World Cup Tournament – one of the best ever!"

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Trump played a round of golf at Turnberry in South Ayrshire where he stayed with wife Melania for two nights during the private leg of his visit.

While he was on the course, Police Scotland announced they had arrested a man in connection with an aerial protest during Mr Trump's arrival at the Trump Turnberry hotel on Friday night.

A 55-year-old man is due in Ayr Sheriff Court on Monday in connection with a powered parachute being flown in the vicinity of the hotel at around 9.45pm on Friday.

Greenpeace earlier said they had orchestrated the stunt where a paraglider unfurled a banner with the slogan: "Trump Well Below Par".

On Saturday, Mr Trump was heckled by protesters who branded him a "racist" as he played golf with his son Eric.

At the same time, thousands of people marched through Edinburgh to demonstrate against the US president, following widespread protests on Friday with a massive march in London and events staged in cities including Glasgow and Belfast.

The president and Melania arrived in Scotland on board Air Force One on Friday evening.

On Saturday, Mr Trump tweeted: "I have arrived in Scotland and will be at Trump Turnberry for two days of meetings, calls and hopefully, some golf, my primary form of exercise!

"The weather is beautiful, and this place is incredible! Tomorrow I go to Helsinki for a Monday meeting with Vladimir Putin."

Before leaving the US for Europe last week for the UK visit and a Nato summit, Mr Trump said: "So I have Nato, I have the UK - that's a situation with turmoil. And I have Putin. Frankly, Putin may be the easiest of all."