By Chris Robertson, news reporter and Alan McGuinness, political reporter
Tory leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt has hit out at President Trump, calling him "disrespectful" to the prime minister and the UK.
Mr Hunt tweeted: "@realDonaldTrump friends speak frankly so I will: these comments are disrespectful and wrong to our Prime Minister and my country.
"Your diplomats give their private opinions to @SecPompeo and so do ours! You said the UK/US alliance was the greatest in history and I agree…"
It comes after a series of diplomatic messages sent by Britain's ambassador to the US, Sir Kim Darroch, were leaked at the weekend in which he described Mr Trump and his administration as "incompetent", "inept" and "insecure".
The revelation has provoked the ire of America's president, who tweeted that Sir Kim has "not served the UK well" and that Washington "will no longer deal with him".
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1/2 @realDonaldTrump friends speak frankly so I will: these comments are disrespectful and wrong to our Prime Minister and my country. Your diplomats give their private opinions to @SecPompeo and so do ours! You said the UK/US alliance was the greatest in history and I agree… https://t.co/hNeBWmyyVN
— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) 9 July 2019
2/2…but allies need to treat each other with respect as @theresa_may has always done with you. Ambassadors are appointed by the UK government and if I become PM our Ambassador stays.
— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) 9 July 2019
Mr Hunt, the foreign secretary, confirmed that he would keep Sir Kim on should he win the leadership contest, adding: "But allies need to treat each other with respect as @theresa_may has always done with you.
"Ambassadors are appointed by the UK government and if I become PM our Ambassador stays."
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Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Trump renewed his Twitter attack on Sir Kim, calling him "wacky", a "pompous fool" and a "very stupid guy".
He said the ambassador had been "foisted upon the United States" and is "not someone we are thrilled with".
Mr Trump wrote: "The wacky Ambassador that the U.K. foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy."
Prime Minister Theresa May also came in for more criticism, with Mr Trump having on Monday accused her of making a "mess" of Brexit.
The president tweeted: "He [Sir Kim] should speak to his country, and Prime Minister May, about their failed Brexit negotiation, and not be upset with my criticism of how badly it was handled.
"I told @theresa_may how to do that deal, but she went her own foolish way-was unable to get it done. A disaster!
"I don't know the ambassador but have been told he is a pompous fool.
"Tell him the USA now has the best Economy & Military anywhere in the World, by far and they are both only getting bigger, better and stronger…..Thank you, Mr. President!"
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