RNC night 3 as it happened: Running mate Mike Pence takes a bow, Ted Cruz gets widespread boos

Thanks for following our live coverage of the Republican National Convention. Be sure to check back for the big finale night tomorrow (22 July).

Trump comes out for a matter of seconds to greet Pence at the end of his speech, then vanishes off the stage, stunning newscasters.

"Someone should have told him how this works," notes one reporter. Pence's mum Karen, wife Nancy and three children come to congratulate him and escort him off the stage.

"We must ensure that the next president appointing justices to the Supreme Court is Donald Trump," Pence says.

He points to Benghazi, setting up the "lock her up" chant for Clinton in the audience.

He then said that Clinton should be disqualified "from ever serving as commander in chief of the armed forces".

"History teaches us that weakness arouses evil. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama's foreign policy are a testament to this truth of history. We cannot have four more years of apologising to our enemies and abandoning our friends."

Pence attacks the national debt, boasting that the state he governs, Indiana, "works because conservative principles works every time you put them into practice."

He then touts Trump, saying: "Donald Trump gets it. He's a doer in a game usually reserved for talkers. He's his own man, distinctly American. Where else would an independent spirit find a following than in the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

Pence adds: "I'll grant you he can be a little rough with politicians on the stage and I'll bet we see that again."

Pence, self-deprecating and humble in marked contrast to the top of his ticket, notes that Trump has style and charisma.

"So I guess he was just looking for some balance on the ticket," he quips.

"I grew up on the front row of the American Dream," he begins. "I watched my mom and dad grow everything that matters: a family, a business."

He introduces his mother, the "light" of his life, and his wife, the love of his life, and the "three greatest kids in the world."

Donald Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, takes the stage to a raucous welcome, with a rapturous audience chanting "Mike, Mike, Mike!"

"I'm a Christian, a conservative and a Republican — in that order," he announces.

New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, calls remarks by Ted Cruz "an awful selfish speech" for failing to endorse Trump. "It was an awful performance by someone who showed himself not to be a man of his word."

Callista Gingrich introduces her husband, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Newt comes on stage and takes a minute to defend Ted Cruz, says Cruz's comment on voting "on your conscience" was clearly meant as support for Trump.

It has become increasingly apparent that the Quicken Loans Arena is undergoing technical issues during Eric Trump's speech. Despite this, Eric keeps singing his father's praises, stating that his father is running for all Americans.

Trump's second eldest son Eric Trump has taken the stage. "My father stands before you with the most primary votes of any Republican candidate in... history," he says.

Cruz's speech prompted many from the New York delegation to chant: "Endorse Trump!" Despite being booed, the Texas senator plowed ahead and finished his address without endorsing Trump. As he was just about to finish, Trump appeared on stage waving to the crowd amid cheers.

Cue in a video of Trump's adult children praising their father.

I want to congratulate Donald Trump for winning the nomination last night.

- Texas Senator Ted Cruz

Lynne Patton, Vice President of the Eric Trump Foundation, spoke about how inclusive the Trump family is. Patton talks about the lives lost in the Orlando nightclub shootinh and affirmed that Black Lives Matter, all lives matter and Blue Lives Matter.

Hillary Clinton is the ultimate liberal Washington insider. If she were any more on the inside, she'd be in prison.

- Governor Scott Walker

Texas Senator Ted Cruz is perhaps the most anticipated speaker of the night. Many are calling for Cruz to formally endorse Trump, but it is not looking like that will happen.

Pastor Darrell Scott delivered an impassioned address, followed by a tepid speech by businessman Harold Hamm.

But next up? Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, who initially endorsed Ted Cruz, claims: "Donald Trump is standing with the American people."

Meanwhile, Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders, a former Democratic candidate who has since endorsed Clinton, is speaking out against Republicans.

Small business owner Michelle Van Etten just delivered a bumbling, confusing speech in which she referred to Trump as "the ultimate ringmaster".

She was followed by Kentucky State Senator, Ralph Alvarado Jr, one of the few Latinos to speak at the RNC this year. Alvarado blames Obama for the lack of immigration reform. He then calls on his fellow Latinos: "Voten conmigo, voten Republicano!" (Vote with me, vote Republican!)

Retired astronaut Eileen Collins - the first woman to command a space shuttle mission - is introduced by video, celebrating the US space programme and the 47th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Hillary believes our enemies deserve our respect and empathy. Donald Trump believes terrorist deserve to die.

- Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

Businessman Phil Ruffin is up next. Ruffin says he's an old friend of Trump.

The energy level has dropped considerably since Ingraham left the stage. Ruffin is talking about Trump's many business ventures but not quite getting the same positive response that the first two speakers received.

Ingraham is firing up the crowd. She taunts Trump's former rivals to back him officially. "Even all you boys with wounded feelings and bruised egos...You must honour your pledges to Donald Trump now. Tonight!" Ingraham says.

Ingraham continues to bash Clinton, prompting chants of "Lock her up!".

I refuse to leave my kids a country that is worse off than the one that my parents left me.

-RNC speaker, Laura Ingraham

Donald Trump Jr releases a statement denying he ever offered the vice president position to Kasich.

Next up to speak at the RNC: radio talk show host, Laura Ingraham.

First speaker of the night: Florida Governor Rick Scott.

Scott kicks off with his gratitude for the support Florida received following the Orlando nightclub shooting. He then launches an attack on President Obama for failing to stop homegrown terrorism. "The next president must destroy this evil; Donald Trump is the man for that job," Scott says.

"Democrats have not led us to a crossroads, they have led us to a cliff," he adds. Scott acknowledges that Trump may be a bit rough around the edges but maintains he is the best candidate for the presidency.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who previously endorsed Texas Senator Ted Cruz, made it clear he absolutely endorses the party's official nominee.

"I said on this stage almost a year ago August 6th of last year that any of the Republicans running would be better than Hillary Clinton," Walker said. "Obviously Donald Trump wasn't my first choice. I was my first choice. As you mentioned I supported Ted in the primary of Wisconsin. But I meant what I said last year any of the Republicans running was infinitely better than Hillary Clinton. And obviously Donald Trump is our nominee. And he's better than Hillary Clinton."

h/t Politico

The third night of the Republican National Convention 2016 officially kicks off!

Protests outside of the Quicken Loans Arena keep heating up. Cleveland Police say 17 people have been arrested today (20 July) alone.

A party reluctantly united?

Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is hitting back at all her GOP haters. The former secretary of state, who was talked about more than Trump during night two of the convention, sharply struck back at New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for his so called "indictment" against her last night.

Clinton's campaign shared a video of the two hugging it out in New Hampshire back in February 2016. The two joked around, with Christie noting: "All I do is hug Democrats, it gets me in trouble all the time."

Following his speech last night, Clinton fired back on Twitter, writing: "If you think Chris Christie can lecture anyone on ethics, we have a bridge to sell you."

h/t The Hill

More on Baldasaro's comments against Clinton

Secret Service spokesman Robert Hoback told reporters the agency is "aware of this matter and will conduct the appropriate investigation."

Clinton's Communications Director Jen Palmieri also released a statement, saying:

Donald Trump's overtaking of the Republican party – and his constant escalation of outrageous rhetoric – is in danger of mainstreaming the kind of hatred that has long been relegated to the fringes of American politics where it belongs. This week at the Republican convention, we've seen the clearest embodiment yet of this dangerous phenomenon.

h/t ABC News

Vice President John Kasich? A new report reveals Donald Trump and John Kasich's team are feuding over whether the GOP nominee seriously considered adding the Ohio governor to his ticket.

Kasich's camp claims the billionaire businessman's eldest son Donald Trump Jr attempted to convince the governor to join the campaign "as the most powerful vice president in history". A Kasich source told CNN that he would have been in charge of all domestic and foreign policy in a Trump administration. However, Kasich declined joining the ticket.

Meanwhile, Trump's communications director Jason Miller claims Trump Jr did speak to Kasich's advisor John Weaver, but that a vice presidential position was never offered. "It's completely ridiculous," Miller said. "There was never an offer made. It's completely made up." He added: "Gov Kasich is just being a sore loser."

Trump himself denied he ever offered the role in a tweet on Wednesday. "John Kasich was never asked by me to be V.P. Just arrived in Cleveland - will be a great two days!" the GOP nominee tweeted.

h/t CNN

New Hampshire Republicans are condemning comments made by a Donald Trump supporter regarding Hillary Clinton. Earlier on Wednesday (20 July), state Representative Al Baldasaro called the presumptive Democratic nominee "a piece of garbage" and said she should be "put in the firing line and shot for treason".

New Hampshire GOP Chairwoman, Jennifer Horn, said Baldasaro's comments are "appalling and have no place in public discourse." Meanwhile, State House Speaker Shawn Jasper, a Republican, said that, whether advocate of Clinton or not, "the idea that a New Hampshire lawmaker would suggest that a candidate should be executed is just outrageous."

h/t US News and World Report

Read the full report on Baldasaro's comments here.

Welcome to night three of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

Tonight's theme is "Make America First Again" and will feature several of Trump's former primary opponents. Newly nominated vice presidential pick, Mike Pence, will deliver his acceptance speech tonight and Eric Trump will become the third of Trump's children to speak at the 2016 convention.