NIGEL Farage said he is “very flattered” by Donald Trump’s calls for him to become Britain’s ambassador to the United States.
In a highly unusual intervention that breaks with diplomatic protocol, the president-elect announced on Twitter he thought the interim Ukip leader would do a “great job”.
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The real estate mogul said “many people” wanted to see him as the UK’s most senior diplomat in Washington, after the pair struck up a friendship during his election campaign.
It will cause fresh embarrassment for the Prime Minister and the so-called ‘special relationship’, who was only the 10th world leader to speak to Mr Trump after his victory over Hillary Clinton.
Meanwhile Mr Farage flew out to New York to have a meeting with Barack Obama’s successor at Trump Tower, and has called on Theresa May to let him help smooth relations between the pair.
He said of the endorsement: “I’m very flattered by the comments and I have said since I met the president-elect that I would like to do anything I can to act in a positive way to help relationships between our two countries.”
But Downing Street said there was “no vacancy”, and praised Britain’s current top official in America, Sir Kim Darroch, with a spokesman adding: “We already have an excellent ambassador to the US.”
Mrs May is trying to improve relations between Mr Trump’s incoming administration, and inviting the Republican to make a state visit to the UK as early as 2017 is “under consideration” say Number 10.
And there are plans to use the Queen to charm the President-elect, by rolling out the red carpet and inviting him to Windsor Castle.
Many people would like to see @Nigel_Farage represent Great Britain as their Ambassador to the United States. He would do a great job!
Mr Trump also announced last night he would quit the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal on his first day in the White House.
He made the revelation in a video message outlining what he intends to do first in his first 100 days, when he takes office from Barack Obama in January.
The controversial TPP trade deal was signed in February this year by 12 Pacific Rim countries – including Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Mexico - which together cover 40% of the world's economy.
Mr Trump’s remarks could be a boost for Britain as it seeks to make its own deals with countries post Brexit.
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The billionaire said last night: “I am going to issue a notification of intent to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership – a potential disaster for our country.
“Instead we will negotiate fair bilateral trade deals, that bring jobs and industry back onto American shores.”
Asian leaders have been scrambling to save the trade pact, but Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that: "TPP without the United States would be meaningless."
The 70-year-old's pledge was one of six he promised to execute with immediate executive action - which he can take without Congressional approval.
The other included reducing “job-killing restrictions” on coal production and to stop visa abuses – but failed to mention building a wall with Mexico or axing Obamacare.
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He also revealed he was formulating a plan to toughen US security against cyber-terrorism and “all other forms of attacks”.
The next leader of the free world said his transition team was running “very smoothly, efficiently and effectively” during his address to the nation – released on YouTube.
Mr Trump concluded: “These are just a few of the steps we will take to reform Washington and rebuild our middle class.
“I will provide more updates in the coming days as we work together to make America great again for everyone – and I mean everyone.”
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