Senior Tory suggests Boris Johnson will choose new US ambassador, as party infighting intensifies

Liz Truss says appointing next US envoy is a job for Theresa May’s successor

Boris Johnson will choose the next US ambassador if elected as Tory leader, rather than Theresa May, a senior minister has said.

Liz Truss, the chief secretary to the Treasury, warned Ms May that appointing the next envoy was a job for her successor amid claims Ms May was “in denial” over handing over power.

The prime minister is under pressure to allow the next Tory leader to pick a replacement for Sir Kim Darroch, who resigned after the leak of diplomatic cables detailing criticisms of Donald Trump’s administration.

Mr Johnson, her likely successor, is thought to be interested in appointing an envoy friendly to Mr Trump and on Brexit, in order to bolster the chance of a lucrative US trade deal.

However the Brexiteer has faced major criticism over his refusal to back Sir Kim in the aftermath of the leak – which is understood to have played a major role in his decision to quit.

Ms Truss, an ally of Mr Johnson, told a Westminster lunch: “The permanent secretary of the Foreign Office has been clear that this is going to be a job that takes months rather than weeks to recruit for so I think the question is academic.

“It is likely that the new ambassador will be selected and appointed by the new prime minister.”

Downing Street has not ruled out an appointment during Ms May’s final two weeks in office, prompting one Johnson-backing cabinet minister to describe her as “in denial” about her imminent departure from No 10.

Ms Truss said she did not like to see foreign leaders “slagging off” the British government, following the US president’s criticism of Ms May’s “foolish” Brexit strategy, but admitted her deal was a “dead duck”.

She said: “I’m a patriot so I don’t like to hear any foreign leader slagging off our government.

“But fundamentally, whatever the rights and wrongs of the issue, the deal has failed to get through on numerous occasions.

“It’s a dead duck, so we now need a fresh approach, it’s more urgent than ever before.

“The British public has lost huge trust in politicians and that is why we need to deliver by 31 October.”

Meanwhile, Ms Truss told Sir John Major to butt out after the former Tory PM said he would take legal action to prevent the next leader suspending parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit.

She said: “I remember when Sir John Major complained that Margaret Thatcher was trying to be a back seat driver to his government and I believe he should take his own advice.”

Ms Truss left the door open for Mr Johnson to prorogue parliament if necessary, saying: “It’s not something I would like to see, but I think it’s very important not to box off options.”

The chief secretary to the Treasury, who has made no secret of her desire to be the first female chancellor, also joked about rumours that Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg could take her current role.

She said: “As outgoing chief secretary, I leave the public finances in good shape – the deficit is now down to 1 per cent, the lowest since 2002. Much better shape than when [Labour’s] Liam Byrne left his infamous note saying “there’s no money left”.

“My note will be different. It will say ‘Jacob, if you need anything, I’ll be just down the hall’.”