Peter Mandelson ‘open to working with Farage to win over Trump’

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Lord Mandelson’s indication that he would work with Mr Farage comes despite warnings from senior Labour figures that making overtures to politicians such as the Reform UK leader risks elevating the right-wing cause. open image in gallery Peter Mandelson will be the UK’s ambassador to the US when Donald Trump returns to the White House But referring to their scepticism, a source close to the Labour peer told The Telegraph: “I am sure that would be a view held by some, but not those who need to conduct UK-US relations in the most optimum way.” Last month, speaking on his podcast for The Times, Lord Mandelson urged the government to “swallow your pride” and not exclude Mr Farage from its efforts to improve relations with the president-elect. It comes amid concerns that Lord Mandelson’s past remarks about Mr Trump – whom he once described as “little short of a white nationalist and racist” – could scupper attempts to foster close relations between the US and the UK. Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Mr Trump’s 2024 election campaign, described Lord Mandelson as an “absolute moron” after his appointment as ambassador was announced.