The row over the appointment of the UK’s next ambassador to the US rumbles on, with an ally of Donald Trump now saying a another potential candidate “doesn’t stand a chance”.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer picked former Labour Cabinet minister Lord Mandelson to replace Dame Karen Pierce as UK ambassador to the United States following the US electi on, but the choice reportedly didn’t go down well with the President’s team.

Chris LaCivita, one of Trump’s top aides, offered a scathing assessment, describing the Labour government in a social media post as “special” and claiming it had “replaced a professional universally respected Ambo with an absolute moron — he should stay home! SAD!”

Critics of the Mandelson appointment pointed to his past comments about the president himself, as well as his stance on China, having previously said that Trump had been too tough towards Beijing on trade policy.

There is now speculation former Foreign Secretary David Miliband is keen on the ambassadorial role if the Mandelson appointment falls through.

But others have suggested Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has a personal relationship with the US President, would be a good choice.

It comes after a Republican source claimed Miliband has no chance of being appointed, telling The Sun: “Trump doesn’t like Peter Mandelson, but he has no time for David Miliband either.”

The source added: “Miliband would never get to be ambassador. No one called Miliband will stand a chance.”

But one figure in UK politics who does seem to be in the Republicans’ good books is Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has been a long-time supporter of Trump.

During Trump’s 2016 campaign, the President said Farage would do a “great job” and the Brexit architect himself previously claimed that he “could be very useful” when the idea was raised of him becoming Britain’s man in Washington following Sir Kim Darroch’s 2019 resignation.

No 10 previously hit back at LaCivita’s criticism forcefully, with a spokesperson for Sir Keir saying his appointment “shows just how seriously we’re taking this relationship”.

They added: “He has got extensive foreign policy and economic policy expertise, particularly in the crucial issues of trade, business links.

“He’s got experience at the highest levels of government and it will be a significant asset in the UK’s relationship with the United States.”