Nigel Farage has said he “is not the type” to become British ambassador to the US, after President-Elect Donald Trump infuriated the UK Government by suggesting the appointment.
The interim Ukip leader, who was dubbed “Mr Brexit” after his role in June’s EU referendum, told CNN that he wasn’t “Foreign Office” enough to take on a formal diplomatic position.
He said: “In normal terms I wouldn’t necessarily put the words Farage and ambassador together however 2016 has been a year of dramatic change so I think anything is possible.
“But Mr Trump thinks it’s a good idea but what does Mrs May think?”
He continued: “So far I have to say over the last couple of weeks since I met the president-elect I keep saying I would love to play a constructive middle-man role between the administrations but they don’t seem to want me for some reason.
“I don’t think I’m going to be made British ambassador let’s be honest about it. I’m not Foreign Office, maybe I’m not the type.”
“I don't think I'm going to be made British ambassador let's be honest about it. I'm not foreign office, maybe I'm not the type.”
- Nigel Farage
He continued: “I did have 20 years in business before getting involved in politics, I do know how to cut deals, I do have the support of the president-elect and I do know some of his team, some of whom I’ve known for years.
“I am very keen for Britain and America to get closer again.
“My critics would say I have spent a career in politics trying to knock down buildings, well now I’d like the chance to try and help build one.”
On Tuesday, Trump tweeted to throw his support behind Farage, surprising Downing Street in the process as the role is not available and foreign leaders usually don’t choose who gets appoints ambassador to their countries.
Farage used the CNN interview to answer calls for a second referendum over Britain’s membership of the EU.
Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said in an interview on Thursday that a second referendum could halt Brexit.
It came after Wednesday’s Autumn Statement laid bare the dire financial consequences of Britain’s decision to leave the bloc.
Speaking about Blair’s intervention, Farage said: “He is deeply unpopular in this country.
“The more he speaks the more unpopular he becomes.”
Farage said that were a second referendum to be held, as suggested by Blair, “[the vote to leave the EU] would be bigger”.
Just yesterday at an event in his honour after his Brexit triumph, Farage was gleefully pictured with a tray of the chocolates in mock acknowledgement of Donald Trump this week suggesting he should be the UK ambassador to the US, aping an infamous 1980s advert.
Privately-educated Farage, an MEP in Brussels on an £84,000 annual salary since 1999, addressed an audience from the gilded stairway of one of London’s most famous hotels, condemning the UK political class who he believes are out-of-touch.