Downing Street denied on Wednesday that Rishi Sunak’s government is taking sides in the US election battle between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.
Florida governor Mr DeSantis met Britain’s foreign minister James Cleverly during a visit to London last week which was seen as aimed at boosting economic ties, ahead of an expected announcement that he will run for US president.
Mr DeSantis was on an international tour as he prepares to launch a 2024 presidential bid that would pit him against former President Mr Trump for the Republican nomination.
He also met International Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and backed her stance against “woke ideology”.
In contrast, Mr Trump is not believed to have met any Cabinet ministers when he also travelled to the UK recently, flying into Scotland where he visited his golf courses.
He led a ceremony to break ground on a new course at his Aberdeenshire resort, Trump International Scotland.
Asked if the Government was favouring Mr DeSantis by rolling out the red carpet for his visit, No10 denied this.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Governor DeSantis is governor of Florida, a substantial economy, one that does a large amount of trade with the UK.”
Pressed on whether it looked like the Government was taking sides in a Republican primary, he added: “I would disagree with that.”
He added that it was “understandable” that Ms Badenoch, as Trade Secretary, would meet with the governor of such a “substantial” economy as Florida.
After the visit, Mr DeSantis posted details of the meeting with Mr Cleverly on his website.
“The United Kingdom has long been a strong partner of the United States,” he said.
“Florida will continue to work with our friends here in the United Kingdom to maintain a strong relationship that benefits the economic interests of both Florida and the United Kingdom.”
If Mr DeSantis decides to bid to be the Republican candidate, he is expected to face a fierce backlash from Mr Trump and his allies.
The ex-President, though, faces a series of potential legal fights as he seeks another term in the White House.
He was charged last month with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a historic case over allegations he orchestrated hush-money payments to two women before the 2016 US election to suppress publication of their sexual encounters with him.
Prosecutors in Manhattan accused Mr Trump, 76, the first sitting or former US president to face criminal charges, of trying to conceal a violation of election laws during his successful 2016 campaign.
He strongly denies the allegations.
The two women in the case are adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
He described the New York prosecution as election interference.
