US President-elect Donald Trump today created a frenzy in UK political circles by indicating that he would like to have far-right leader Nigel Farage, leader of the Brexit movement, as the next British Ambassador to the US.
"Many people would like to see [@Nigel_Farage] represent Great Britain as their Ambassador to the United States. He would do a great job," Trump tweeted last evening.
While the UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader said he was "very flattered", Downing Street issued a statement dismissing any such possibility.
"There is no vacancy. We have an excellent ambassador to the US," a Downing Street statement said in reference to Sir Kim Darroch.
Farage, who was often seen by Trump's side during the election campaign and was among the first to fly out to the US to meet the President-elect after the election, said he had not been expecting Trump's tweet, but teremd it as a signal that Downing Street needed to change its thinking about him.
"I can still scarcely believe that he did that, though speaking to a couple of his longtime friends perhaps I am a little less surprised," he wrote in a piece this morning for right-wing site 'Breitbart'.
"They all say the same thing: that Trump is a very loyal man and supports those that stand by him," he said.
Repeating his offer of help, which had been rejected by Downing Street on multiple occasions, Farage said: "The world has changed and it's time that Downing Street did too."
The role of UK ambassador to the US is among the most prestigious in the diplomatic service.
It is unprecedented for an incoming US President to ask a world leader to appoint an opposing party leader as ambassador, and Trump's tweet would put British Prime Minister Theresa May in a slightly difficult position.
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