Boris Johnson: Obama moves to preserve US-UK special relationship 'irrespective of specific personalities'

The White House spokesman said the relationship between the two nations 'transcends' the UK's new foreign secretary

It is not yet known if Obama specifically mentioned Boris Johnson to Ms May (PA)

From the White House to 10 Downing Street, the telephone line is still active.

US president Barack Obama called Theresa May, the new British prime minister, to congratulate her and to say he wanted to “protect and deepen” the special relationship between the two countries.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Mr Obama is looking forward to working with Ms May “to advance that goal" until the end of his term in January 2017.

“The president called to offer his congratulations to her on her new leadership position; the president reiterated our oft-stated commitment to not just protecting but deepening the special relationship between the United States and the UK,” said Mr Earnest at a press briefing.

Ms May replaced former prime minister David Cameron, who stepped down after the UK voted to leave the European Union.

Asked about how Mr Earnest felt about Boris Johnson being appointed to foreign secretary, he said the US-UK relationship “transcends any single personality”.

Mr Earnest added: “We’re confident we can do this work and we’ll pursue it irrespective of specific personalities.”

Mr Johnson was criticized for claiming that "part-Kenyan" Mr Obama had an “ancestral dislike of the British empire” and that rationale might explain the president's dislike of Brexit.

“Whomever they choose, it’s up to them,” insisted Mr Earnest.

He said he had not addressed the reporters to “demand an apology” from Mr Johnson.

The United States State Department spokesperson Mark Toner could barely contain his laughter when he was informed on Wednesday that Mr Johnson had secured his position in the cabinet.

He then regained composure and replied: “We’re always going to be able to work with the British, no matter who is occupying the role of the Foreign Secretary because of our deep abiding special relationship with the United Kingdom."

“We congratulate Foreign Secretary [Philip] Hammond on his new role [as Chancellor of Exchequer] and we look forward to engaging with Boris Johnson as the new foreign secretary.”