Donald Trump says Boris Johnson would be ‘excellent choice’ as next Tory leader

Laura Mowat
Updated
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson holds media availability during the G7 Foreign Minister meeting in Toronto, Ontario on April 23, 2018. - The Group of Seven industrialized nations presented a stern common front against Russian aggression April 22, 2018 at their foreign ministers conference in Toronto.But for all the talk of resisting the "malign activities" of Vladimir Putin's Kremlin, Washington's European partners are still concerned that President Donald Trump will tear up the Iran nuclear deal. (Photo by Lars Hagberg / AFP) (Photo credit should read LARS HAGBERG/AFP/Getty Images)
Boris Johnson is one of the frontrunners in the Tory leadership race. (GETTY)

US President Donald Trump has expressed his support for “very good guy” Boris Johnson to replace Theresa May as the leader of the Conservative Party.

Two days before his state visit to the UK, Mr Trump waded into the leadership race seeing 12 MPs battle it out to get into Downing Street.

He said to The Sun: "I actually have studied it very hard. I know the different players. But I think Boris would do a very good job. I think he would be excellent. I like him. I have always liked him.

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES - MAY 30: President Donald Trump speaks to the press before departing from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. for the 2019 United States Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony in Colorado Thursday May 30, 2019. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Boris Johnson has been backed by Donald Trump days before his visit to the UK (GETTY)

"I don't know that he is going to be chosen but I think he is a very good guy, a very talented person."

Last week the US leader said he could meet Nigel Farage and Mr Johnson during his state visit to the UK next week.

The US President claimed other candidates had approached him in a bid to secure his endorsement: “Other people have asked me for an endorsement, too. I have been asked for endorsements.

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“I could help anybody if I endorse them. I mean, we’ve had endorsement where they have gone up for 40, 50 points at a shot.”

The US leader also said he liked Tory party leader contender Jeremy Hunt but not Michael Gove due to his stance on Iran.

Mr Trump and his wife Melania will arrive in the UK on Monday, June 3 and will stay until Wednesday, June 5.

The Trumps will be honoured with a ceremonial welcome in the gardens of Buckingham Palace on the first day of the three-day trip, featuring royal gun salutes and a guard of honour.

When Mr Trump visited the UK last year, he sparked an upset by telling Mrs May that Mr Johnson would make a good prime minister.