Former first minister Alex Salmond has waded into the growing row surrounding Donald Trump’s call for Nigel Farage to be appointed UK ambassador to the United States.
The Gordon MP joined a range of other politicians in criticising the suggestion in the House of Commons yesterday.
Their interventions were prompted by a late-night tweet from the US president elect, declaring the interim Ukip leader would do a “great job”.
He added that “many people” wanted to see him as the UK’s senior diplomat in Washington.
Downing Street was quick to pour water on the endorsement, which has been viewed as another embarrassment for Theresa May after Mr Farage beat her to a meeting with Mr Trump.
But it came the same day Number 10 confirmed a state visit was “under consideration” for next year.
A spokesman was quick to respond there was “no vacancy”, adding: “We already have an excellent ambassador to the US.”
Mr Farage subsequently accused Downing Street of putting its dislike for him before the national interest.
He argued it was time for Number 10 to recognise “the world has changed”, and said he was “in a good position, with the president-elect’s support, to help”.
During Foreign Office questions, Mr Salmond urged UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to realise what the country was dealing with in the president-elect.
He also accused him of changing his attitude towards Mr Trump and told MPs the ex-London mayor had gone from steering clear of New York for fear of being mistaken for the billionaire businessman to presenting him as “the opportunity for the western world” in the space of a few weeks.
In a reference to former shadow chancellor Ed Balls’ Strictly Come Dancing campaign, he said: “It’s a political pirouette of which he would be proud.”
Mr Salmond also brought up a leaked memo written by the current ambassador, Sir Kim Darroch, which embarrassingly suggested the UK was well placed to help Mr Trump “evolve” his more outlandish campaign pledges.
Mr Johnson told him he was “too early in his verdicts” and described a helpful conversation with Vice-President elect Mike Pence.
The foreign secretary added: “We see eye to eye on a great many matters.
“What the world needs now is for the UK to build on its relations with the US.”
The prime minister’s official spokeswoman said: “As a basic principle, we appoint our ambassadors.”