TRUMP AUDITIONS THE TORY HOPEFULS
Backs Boris and Hunt – but ‘didn’t know’ Gove
DONALD Trump ran the rule over the Tory leadership candidates yesterday – and backed both Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt to succeed Theresa May.
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The President said: ‘So I know Boris. I like him. I have liked him for a long time. I think he would do a very good job.
‘I know Jeremy, I think he would do a very good job.’
He then turned to Foreign Secretary Mr Hunt and said pointedly: ‘I don’t know Michael – would he do a good job, Jeremy?’ To laughter, Mr Hunt replied diplomatically: ‘Of course.’
In preparation for Mrs May’s departure, the White House also set aside time for the President to have one- on- one meetings with the three men in anticipation of one of them taking office in the coming weeks.
Mr Hunt and Mr Gove are expected to see the President today.
Mr Johnson was offered a meeting but aides said he was unable to make it because he was preparing for a leadership hustings last night. Instead the pair spoke on the phone for 20 minutes in what was described as a ‘ friendly and productive’ conversation.
A Boris campaign source said: ‘Boris thanked him but declined the invitation as he has to focus on the hustings event that was happening at the same time, which the President understood.
‘He said he looked forward to catching up at a later date.’
Mr Johnson was due to address around 60 MPs in the One Nation group in Parliament.
Downing Street denied the decision to meet leadership candidates was a snub to Mrs May, and revealed Mr Trump had been ‘courteous’ and had let her know he was holding talks with the leadership rivals. A source said: ‘Once the PM said she was stepping down, it was inevitable the focus would fall on who her successor will be.’ Downing Street vetoed a meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Johnson during his visit to the UK last summer, which came shortly after the former foreign secretary quit the Cabinet over the direction of Brexit negotiations with the European a senior Trump Union. official Gove had aides asked said about a meeting with the Environment Secretary during the state banquet on Monday night. A source last night said they did not see Mr Trump’s remarks as critical of Mr Gove. They added: ‘They asked for the meeting and followed up with us today. It may happen tomorrow.’ Other potential leadership contenders – including Home Secretary Sajid Javid – were not offered meetings. Allies of Mr Javid, who was also not invited to the state banquet at Buckingham Palace, said he had a ‘good relationship’ with US intelligence. However, the President did make time to see Nigel Farage. The Brexit Party leader was driven into the US ambassador’s residence in central London, where the US leader is staying. Senior Conservative Brexiteers