Nigel Farage will 'categorically' not act as intermediary between Government and Donald Trump

Meeting: Nigel Farage beat Theresa May to the first meeting with Donald Trump
Nigel Farage
Patrick Grafton-Green16 November 2016
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Number 10 has rubbished claims Nigel Farage will serve as an intermediary between Donald Trump and the Government, reportedly insisting "it is categorically not going to happen".

The Ukip leader hinted that ministers are sounding him out about dealing with Mr Trump after he became the first British politician to meet the incoming Republican President since his shock election victory.

Following the meeting Mr Farage said he would act as a bridge between Downing Street and Mr Trump if called upon to do so.

And in a swipe at No 10 officials who have dismissed his links to the business tycoon, he added: "It would appear that the apparatchiks in Downing Street keep saying very negative things about me. I'd have thought that's just a little bit short sighted, frankly.

"I would have thought, in the national interest, they perhaps ought to bury their personal enmity towards me and we ought to have a constructive conversation."

Mr Farage also revealed that members of the president-elect's inner circle were concerned about unflattering comments made by British Cabinet ministers, though Mr Trump told him he had a "nice" phone call with Prime Minister Theresa May.

"He said he had a nice conversation, although some of his team had reservations about what members of the Cabinet have said during the election," Mr Farage told the Daily Telegraph.

The pair met at Trump Tower in New York and spent over an hour discussing the president-elect's victory, global politics and the status of Brexit, according to Ukip.

However Downing Street has since played down the significance of the Ukip leader's meeting with Mr Trump.

A spokesman for Mrs May said that No 10 "has been consistent that Mr Farage has no role" in the Government's relationship with the incoming US administration.

Meanwhile Senior Conservative Crispin Blunt also rubbished the claims.

The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee said it is "completely implausible" Mr Farage would take up such a role, telling BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "I think there's a fantastic opportunity actually for a decent relationship for the United Kingdom with the new administration - and no need for Nigel."

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