Are Donald Trump and Boris Johnson friends and why has the US President backed him as UK Prime Minister?

DONALD Trump and Boris Johnson may have matching blonde locks – but are they pals?

As the President carries out his whirlwind working visit to the UK, we look at his relationship with the former Foreign Secretary — who he said would make a “great Prime Minister”.

Are Donald Trump and Boris Johnson friends?

Boris Johnson and Donald Trump appear to be close now — but that wasn’t always the case.

Before the US Presidential Election in 2016, the former London Mayor pulled no punches when it came to slamming Trump.

He said the then-candidate was “clearly out of his mind” and accused him of “quite stupefying ignorance” that makes him “unfit for office”.

Boris also once said he would not visit New York because of the “real risk of meeting Donald Trump”.

But soon after Trump’s shock election victory, the then-Foreign Secretary  welcomed the “exciting agenda for change” at the White House.

The pair have since had warm relations, with each heaping praise on the other.

During Trump’s UK visit, the President said Boris would make a “great Prime Minister” in a snub to Theresa May.

Speaking to The Sun just days after Boris resigned from the Government over Mrs May’s handling of Brexit, Trump said: “I like him a lot”.

He described Boris as a “very talented guy”, adding: “I have a lot of respect for Boris.

“He obviously likes me, and says very good things about me.

“I was very saddened to see he was leaving government and I hope he goes back in at some point.”

Why does Trump think Boris would be a good Prime Minister?

Trump did not hold back in his praise for his friend Boris.

In the exclusive Sun interview, the President said Mr Johnson could even get the keys to Number 10.

Asked if Boris was Prime Minister material, he said: “Well I am not pitting one against the other.

“I am just saying I think he would be a great Prime Minister.

“I think he’s got what it takes”.

In a wide-ranging bombshell interview, Mr Trump also:

• Accused EU leaders of destroying its culture and identity by allowing in millions of migrants
• Tore into London Mayor Sadiq Khan for not standing up to terrorists
• Blamed Khan for spiralling crime in the capital
• Denied once branding Theresa May a “bossy schoolteacher”
• Maintained he would keep ties with Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin despite the Salisbury Novichok poisonings
• Demanded Britain and other Nato countries spend more on defence
• Spoke of his sadness at feeling unwelcome in the capital by anti-Trump protesters
• Claimed millions of Brits backed his policies
• Told of his pride at taking wife Melania to meet the Queen