Donald Trump praises 'brave and brilliant' Brexit vote: ‘They took back control of their country’

Donald Trump has claimed Britons “took back control of their country” by voting to leave the European Union as he arrived in Scotland for a two-day visit.

Mr Trump is due to give a press conference at 11am where he is expected to address the Brexit vote, one of the most divisive in recent years. The referendum exposed a deeply polarised Britain with 52 per cent voting to withdraw from the EU while 48 per cent voted to remain.

Voter maps show the UK was quite literally split in half, with all 32 areas of Scotland voting to stay while many parts of England voted to leave.

The outspoken billionaire and presumptive Republican candidate has already voiced his support for a Brexit. In May, he said his view is that Britain would be “better off” outside of the EU but stressed this is his opinion, not his recommendation.

Mr Trump is in Scotland to attend the reopening of the Trump Turnberry golf course following a £200 million restoration. After landing on the course in a helicopter, Mr Trump addressed the historic vote in his characteristic “I told you you” so manner when questioned by journalists on his opinion.

Praising the Brexit, he suggested over countries could follow and warned, “this will not be the last”.

“I said this was going to happen and I think it's a great thing and we will see, but I think it's going to be a great thing.

“Basically, they took back control of their country - that's a great thing.”

In comments echoing his anti-immigration rhetoric that has come to define his campaign for the Republican nomination, Mr Trump claimed Britons had expressed their anger by voting for a Brexit.

He told reporters: “They are angry over borders, they are angry over people coming into the country and taking over, and nobody even knows who they are […] they are angry about many, many things.

Mr Trump arrived as David Cameron announced his decision to stand down as Prime Minister in an emotional speech, where he conceded: “It would not be right for me to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination”.

In a statement of Facebook, Mr Trump said a Trump administration would “strengthen our ties with a free and independent Britain”, and deepen bonds in commerce, culture and mutual defence.

He said both the US and the UK would be united under his presidency.

“Come November, the American people will have the chance to re-declare their independence.

“Americans will have a chance to vote for trade, immigration and foreign policies that put our citizens first.

“They will have the chance to reject today's rule by the global elite and to embrace real change that delivers a government of, by and for the people.

“I hope America is watching, it will soon be time to believe in America again.”