Jeremy Hunt has lashed out at US President Donald Trump for his tweets criticising Theresa May and her handling of Brexit. BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg predicted the “enormous controversy” will be discussed during tonight’s Tory leadership debate. Speaking on BBC News, Ms Kuenssberg said: “Strangely, even though one of the contenders for Number 10 is the current Foreign Secretary and the other one, Boris Johnson, used to be Foreign Secretary.

“Apart from Brexit there’s been precious little discussion of how Britain should run its affairs with the rest of the world in the weeks of this leadership contest so far.

“But I think that will change tonight with this enormous controversy about President Trump’s outbursts.

“And for once, an I think we will hear more of the same here in Salford tonight, it’s Jeremy Hunt, normally seen as the more cautious of the two candidates, who’s the one speaking much more plainly and directly to Donald Trump.

“Whereas Boris Johnston stopped at saying he wasn’t embarrassed about having a good relationship with the White House.

“So we will see tonight when the two men are vying for the audience, vying for the support of Tory members, whether or not Boris Johnson is willing to find a stiffer language.

“Whether he is willing to follow Jeremy Hunt in rebuking Donald Trump, but it’s a reminder of just hoe sensitive and tricky this crucial relationship between the UK and the US has been.”

The BBC’s Political Editor continued: “Whichever one of them ends up moving into Number 10, a fortnight tomorrow, they will have to be very, very careful about dealing with this President who seems to enjoy and adore stirring up controversy.

“And at the same time trying to have a genuine, serious and constructive relationship with our closest ally.

“It’s almost as if both of them would have to handle a grenade with a pin already taken out of it, a big, big challenge, and it will be fascinating to see how they handle it tonight.”

Mr Hunt’s attack on President Trump has come after the leaking of memos from Sir Kim Darroch, the UK’s ambassador to the US, where he called the President “inept”. Mr Hunt wrote on Twitter: “Friends speak frankly so I will: these comments are disrespectful and wrong to our Prime Minister and my country.

“Your diplomats give their private opinions to Secretary Pompeo and so do ours. You said the UK/US alliance was the greatest in history and I agree but allies need to treat each other with respect as Theresa May has always done with you.

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“Ambassadors are appointed by the UK government and if I become PM our ambassador stays.”

President Trump criticised Mrs May’s handling of Brexit by saying “she went her own foolish way – was unable to get it done. A disaster!” He also called the Ambassador a “pompous fool”.

Mrs May has given the UK’s ambassador to the US her “full support” after Mr Trump said he would no longer deal with Sir Kim Darroch.

Mr Hunt and Boris Johnson are to clash during today’s hour-long debate broadcasted by ITV at 8pm.

During the programme, the Tories will face questions on Brexit as well as two other subject areas.

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