Theresa May arrives in Turkey for trade and security talks

Theresa May has arrived in Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about security and a post-Brexit trade deal.

The UK and Turkey have agreed to set up a joint working group to pave the way for a free trade agreement, but formal negotiations cannot commence until Brexit is finalised.

The Prime Minister and Mr Erdogan are also expected to unveil a strategic security partnership which will see the UK and Turkey collaborate more closely on aviation security and counter-terrorism measures.

As she sat down with the Turkish leader, Mrs May saw her own image on TV screens which were showing footage of her meeting with Donald Trump on Friday.

The Prime Minister laughed after being told by an aide to Mr Erdogan that the visit had been "well covered in Turkey".

Before being taken the presidential palace, Mrs May laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and founder of the Republic of Turkey.

She signed her name in the visitors' book and left a message which read: "It is a great honour to visit this special place of remembrance to the founding father of modern Turkey.

"Let us together renew our efforts to fulfil Ataturk's vision of peace at home and peace in the world."

Mrs May's visit to Ankara comes at an unstable time for Turkey, which has suffered several terror attacks in recent months.

The Prime Minister is also under pressure to confront Mr Erdogan over human rights, as his crackdown on dissent following last summer's failed coup has seen thousands of officials jailed and several media outlets closed.

Amnesty International said that the human rights situation across Turkey had "deteriorated markedly" during the state of emergency imposed by Mr Erdogan and urged Mrs May to ask "probing questions" about allegations that those in detention have suffered ill treatment.

Meanwhile, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said Mrs May should address alleged human rights violations "as a priority".

He said: "As Theresa May seeks trade deals with ever-more unsavoury leaders, she ignores the simple point that the most successful countries around the world respect human rights - economies flourish in free societies."

Downing Street did not confirm whether human rights would be raised during the discussions, but a spokesperson said the Government had "already expressed our strong support for Turkey's democracy and institutions following the coup".

The spokesperson added: "We have also been clear that we urge Turkey to ensure their response is proportionate, justified and in line with international human rights obligations."

Turkey is going to become the 13th country to set up a working group on trade with the UK.

On a visit to Ankara last year, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson expressed hope of securing a "jumbo" free trade deal with Turkey after Brexit.

Figures from the International Monetary Fund show the UK was the second-largest destination for Turkish exports in 2015, buying more than £8bn in goods.