Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump “stressed the importance of the close and warm ties” between their countries and “agreed to meet soon” in a phone call, Downing Street has said.

During the conversation on Sunday, the prime minister congratulated the president on his inauguration and paid tribute to his “role in securing the landmark ceasefire and hostages deal in Gaza“, according to a Number 10 spokesperson.

The two leaders “discussed the importance of working together for security in the Middle East” as well as “trade and the economy”.

Sir Keir told the US leader how he plans to deregulate the UK economy to boost growth, and the president spoke of his “respect and affection for the Royal Family“.

Mr Trump also gave his condolences to Sir Keir over the loss of his brother, who died on Boxing Day.

Earlier this weekend, the president said he thinks Sir Keir has “done a very good job” so far.

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He and the prime minister “get along well” despite Sir Keir being “liberal, which is a little bit different from me”, he told reporters travelling with him on Air Force One.

“He’s represented his country in terms of his philosophy. I may not agree with his philosophy but I have a very good relationship with him.”

Sir Keir previously met Mr Trump for dinner at Trump Tower in New York in September, before he was elected president for a second time.

He held two pre-inauguration calls with the new US president.

Mr Trump said his first international trip could be to the UK or Saudi Arabia – the first country he travelled to as president during his first term.

He said “traditionally” it could be the UK – but last time he travelled to Saudi Arabia because it agreed to buy billions of dollars of US merchandise.

“If that offer were right, I’d do that again,” he said.

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a female police officer was hit by a vehicle driven “at speed” towards her. 

She was seriously injured in the incident at a retail park in Cheadle on Saturday night.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the “truly shocking” incident happened in a car park on Wilmslow Road.

The officer had walked towards the vehicle after a report that the people inside were acting suspiciously.

The vehicle was then driven at speed towards the officer, hitting her.

She was later treated in hospital and was “recovering well”.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

A GMP statement said: “We received a report of people acting suspiciously inside a vehicle in the car park.

“As the responding police officer walked towards the vehicle, she reported that the vehicle was driven at speed towards her, hitting her.

“The officer was taken to hospital for treatment of her injuries.”

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Chief Inspector John Picton, of the Stockport district, said: “This incident is truly shocking, and shows how quickly situations our frontline officers attend can escalate. There is absolutely no explanation as to why this incident needed to end the way it did.

“Our officers go to work every day to provide an outstanding service to the communities they serve, and achieve fantastic results in situations that are often challenging.

“Assaults on our officers are completely unacceptable and won’t be tolerated. In this case, the officer suffered serious injuries.”

Mr Picton also said the police investigation was continuing and the officer was being “supported by all of us at the Stockport district”.

“She is recovering well,” he added.

A 53-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a university lecturer, Devon and Cornwall Police have said.

Claire Chick, 48, was found injured on West Hoe Road, Plymouth, at 8.55pm on Wednesday.

Ms Chick, who taught at the University of Plymouth’s nursing school after a career in nursing, was taken to hospital but died on Thursday.

Paul Butler, of Stangray Avenue, Plymouth, has been charged with her murder and is due to appear before Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

He was arrested in the Liskeard area of Cornwall, which is about 20 miles from Plymouth, police said.

Ms Chick, previously known as Claire Butler, had five grandchildren who call her “favourite grandma”, according to her family.

Her family added: “We are absolutely devastated and broken at the loss of our beautiful caring mother Claire Chick.

“She was the most beautiful, lively soul and was there for everyone.”

Describing Ms Chick as the “glue” and their “go-to” they said: “We will never get over this as a family.

“We won’t ever get the justice our mum deserves for this because no amount of justice will bring her back.

“She may be gone but her spirit will always remain alive. We love you mum, and we promise to make you proud.”

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Detective Inspector Rob Smith added: “We continue to support Claire’s family at what is an extremely awful time for them. I would ask for their privacy to be respected and to allow them the space to grieve.”

He urged the public to share any relevant information with police.