Donald Trump wished Nigel Farage a happy birthday in a video message played at the Brexit campaigner’s 60th birthday on Wednesday night.
The Reform Party director held the event in the Boisdale restaurant in Canary Wharf, east London, with guests listening to speeches and even a recorded address from former US president.
Also present were several Conservative MPs – including the former prime minister Liz Truss.
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Video on social media showed what Mr Trump said to the group.
“You’re a historic figure as a prophetic leader, and I know that the people of the UK are grateful for your patriotism and service,” Mr Trump said.
“In fact. I’m very much looking forward to watching what your next move is going to be, it’s going to be an interesting one.
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“You’re not done yet and hopefully the best is yet to come. So Nigel: Enjoy this day.
“Congratulations on a truly remarkable 60 years on this Earth, your achievements have been incredible. Happy birthday!”
Mr Trump and Mr Farage are known to be friends, with Mr Farage seen at Mr Trump rallies and interviewing him as well.
On the domestic front, Ms Truss was among several Conservative MPs who were guests at the party.
A picture tweeted by Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns shows her standing next to Mr Farage, with Ms Truss visible in the background.
Mr Farage‘s Brexit referendum ally Arron Banks was also in frame.
According to the Daily Express, Conservative MPs Sir David Davis, Mark Francois and Andrew Rosindell were in attendance too.
Tory-turned-Reform MP Lee Anderson was also reportedly celebrating, as was Reform leader Richard Tice.
The Conservative-Reform mixer comes despite a recent spat between Mr Tice and those who head up campaigning for the Tories.
Mr Farage has previously said the Conservatives are facing political extinction and he wants to replace them.
Last weekend, Conservative chair Richard Holden branded Mr Tice a “threatening bully” on social media, after the latter claimed to have “embarrassing personal information” about Mr Holden’s deputy, Jonathan Gullis.
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Unlike in 2019 – when Reform was the Brexit Party – the Conservatives are having to battle against Mr Farage’s political machine at the next general election in every constituency in Britain.
Reform’s policies, including lower taxes, reducing immigration, cheaper energy and slashing waiting lists, look to outflank the Conservatives on the right.
And the worries were compounded by the defection of Mr Anderson, who was previously a deputy chair of the Conservative Party.
Mr Farage has played down the likelihood of him standing as an MP, having unsuccessfully done so on a number of previous occasions.
And there have been other difficulties selecting candidates, with Reform dropping two of its potential MPs yesterday after accusations they made racist remarks on social media.