Michael Gove and Donald Trump’s meeting is likely to cause irritation at No 10, coming before Theresa May is able to visit Washington DC [Image: EPA].

Donald Trump told prominent ‘Leave’ campaigner Michael Gove that he thought Brexit was a great idea and the UK would make a success of it. So what? He was probably just trying to be polite.

He also said he would be keen to strike an early trade deal with the UK. So what? He was probably just trying to upset political supporters of Barack Obama, who famously said Brexit would put the UK at “the back of the queue”.

But the fact is that Mr Trump agreed to meet Mr Gove before Theresa May could make a diplomatic visit – and that is humiliating for Mrs May – who sacked Mr Gove last July.

Whether Mr Trump intended to insult the UK’s prime minister is not known. All things considered, he might not have realised what was going on.

But Mr Gove certainly knew what he was doing. So do many Conservative backbenchers. There are rifts in the Tory Party, and they are widening.

Oh, you think they’ll kiss and make up because Mr Gove got a verbal agreement to do a trade deal?

I wouldn’t count on that until the ink is dry, if I were you.

Michael Gove, the former justice secretary and prominent leave campaigner, has held a personal meeting with Donald Trump, and written about it for the Times.

[Theresa] May sacked Gove, along with longtime allies including George Osborne, in the reshuffle she carried out when she became prime minister last July.

Britain’s relationship with the US is likely to be crucial as May’s government prepares for life outside the EU. Trump has suggested he would be keen to strike a trade deal with the UK, in striking contrast to Barack Obama, who said during the referendum campaign that Britain would be at “the back of the queue” for trade talks if it voted for Brexit.

Source: Michael Gove secures first post-election UK interview with Trump | Politics | The Guardian

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