SHOULD Nigel Farage play a key role in shaping Britain’s future relationship with the US?

The interim Ukip leader pulled off a major PR coup at the weekend when he became the first foreign politician to secure a face-to-face meeting with president-elect Donald Trump.

The two men clearly get on well and share plenty of common ground. There are some who say that this means he might be better placed than Theresa May and her ministers to safeguard the “special relationship” at a time when the US is reconsidering its future links with and responsibilities to the rest of the world.

The incoming US president has spoken to Mrs May by phone, and there have been other contacts between ministers and the Trump camp, but the PM isn’t due to meet him until well into the new year.

Mr Farage on the other hand has been voicing admiration, if not outright support, for Mr Trump over the last few months, and even appeared on stage at a campaign rally. That helped to secure him a prized photo opportunity at Trump Towers.

Does Mr Trump know, or care for that matter, that Mr Farage is not a member of the UK government, or representing the county in an official capacity?

Mrs May faces a challenge to build bridges with a new administration on the other side of the Atlantic which her government neither supported nor expected to win. She must assert control over Anglo-US relations and ensure her Foreign Secretary – who has made some very disparaging remarks about Mr Trump in the past – goes on a charm offensive.

The potential for Trump and May to develop close ties has rekindled talk of the Reagan and Thatcher years.

If Mrs May isn’t careful she might find herself part of a three-way relationship.