Lord Mandelson expected to be named as UK ambassador to US

During that election, he was among the hosts of the How To Win An Election podcast for the Times, while also serving as a trustee of the Design Museum and chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University.

His name was linked to the chancellorship of his alma mater, the University of Oxford, which ultimately went to former Conservative leader Lord William Hague.

Of the US ambassador role, he said in November that “nobody has actually spoken to me about it”.

Lord Mandelson, 71, told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, though, he was “more in favour of a new relationship rather than a special one” with the US, and “would be very interested indeed in giving advice about trade to whoever is appointed”.

His appointment comes ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in January.

A government source said: “The fact the prime minister has chosen to make a political appointment and sent Lord Mandelson to Washington shows just how importantly we see our relationship with the Trump administration.

“We’re sending someone close to the prime minister with unrivalled political and policy experience, particularly on the crucial issue of trade. He’s the ideal candidate to represent the UK’s economic and security interests in the USA.”

Both the White House and Trump campaign were notified of the appointment in advance.

Lord Mandelson was the Labour MP for Hartlepool from 1992 to 2004, during which time he served as secretary of state for Northern Ireland and business secretary.

He resigned twice as a minister – once for failing to declare a home loan from a cabinet colleague, and a second time over accusations of using his position to influence a passport application.