Nigel Farage says he ‘could be very useful’ after being asked about new ambassador to US

Brexit Party leader steps into row over Sir Kim Darroch’s memos from Washington

Nigel Farage has responded to suggestions he could be the next ambassador to the US by claiming he “could be very useful”.

The Brexit Party leader, who has boasted of his friendship with Donald Trump, claimed he would not accept the job when Sir Kim Darroch leaves Washington.

But he said he would be well placed to forge a better relationship between the two countries.

Mr Farage has called for Sir Kim to step down after leaked memos revealed he described the Trump administration as “inept”.

He told Radio 4’s Today programme that “people like Sir Kim Darroch should simply not be around” after Brexit on 31 October.

Asked if he would take the job, Mr Farage initially avoided the question by replying: “Well, I’m not a diplomat, and I think that’s quite an understatement.”

Pressed a second time, he said: “No. I don’t think I’m the right man for that job.

“But, am I the right man to try and help forge a better, closer relationship in terms of intelligence, security and trade with an administration that contains friends of mine?

“Yes, I could be very useful.”

Mr Farage suggested that choosing a retired businessman to be the next ambassador to Washington would “send the right message”.

He also claimed he had already been trying to find “some big UK industrialists” to start trade talks with the US.

Following Mr Trump’s successful election campaign, Mr Farage – then leader of Ukip – said he would like to serve the president as the US ambassador to the European Union.

Mr Trump apparently did not offer him any position in the administration, although he tweeted that the MEP for South East England would “do a great job” as British ambassador.

The suggestion was rejected by Downing Street but may be viewed more favourably by the next Tory prime minister.