Donald Trump has barred the Wall Street Journal from his trip to Scotland after it published a letter purportedly from the President to Jeffrey Epstein.
The U.S leader will jet in later this week to visit his golf courses in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire, and is also expected to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss a trade deal.
President Trump announced last week that he will sue the Wall Street Journal for $10billion after it published correspondence it said was between him and the disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
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The letter is said to have been sent for the sex offender's 50th birthday in 2003 and to have included a drawing of a naked woman and the message "Happy Birthday - and may every day be another wonderful secret".
Mr Trump denies having sent the card.
The Wall Street Journal said: "We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit."
In the wake of the controversy, the paper has been banned from the press pool for the trip to Scotland.
White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt said: "As the appeals court confirmed, the Wall Street Journal or any other news outlet are not guaranteed special access to cover President Trump in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, and in his private workspaces.
"Thirteen diverse outlets will participate in the press pool to cover the President’s trip to Scotland. Due to the Wall Street Journal’s fake and defamatory conduct, they will not be one of the thirteen outlets on board. Every news organization in the entire world wishes to cover President Trump, and the White House has taken significant steps to include as many voices as possible.”
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