The grins within the say all of it. A jubilant Nigel Farage and his closest Brexiteer allies grin as they have fun assembly president-elect Donald Trump.
Standing exterior the breath-takingly opulent gold-and-diamond entrance door of the £80million penthouse in Trump Tower, New York, the British quartet - Ukip donor Arron Banks, Mr Farage, Go away.EU communications chief Andy Wigmore and former Ukip aide Raheem Kassam - look on high of the world.
They usually have even given their gang a nickname - the 'Brex pistols'.
The sight of Mr Farage's beaming visage alongside Mr Trump has prompted consternation not simply in Downing Road however in capitals all through the EU.
Theresa Might has needed to be content material with a mere phone name from Trump – and even then she needed to wait till 9 different international locations' leaders have been known as, though no less than she was forward of Germany and France.
Nigel Farage (pictured centre with Donald Trump) met the president-elect in his Trump Tower penthouse with Ukip donor Arron Banks (second from left), Go away.EU communications chief Andy Wigmore (second from proper) and former Ukip aide Raheem Kassam (proper). Mr Trump's pollster Gerry Gunster (pictured left) helped with the Brexit marketing campaign and likewise joined the gathering
In distinction, Farage was given a tour of recent chief of the free world's New York residence with its floor-to-ceiling marble, gilded columns and pilasters, its gaudy crystal chandeliers dripping with gilt, and an enormous fresco depicting the Greek god Apollo crossing the heavens in his chariot.
Farage and 4 of his shut allies from the referendum marketing campaign have been mesmerised by the lavish environment they discovered themselves in – a Renoir on the wall was 'magnificent', commented certainly one of them, whereas the bronze classical statue of Eros and Psyche was 'hanging' and the views overlooking Central Park have been the very best in New York.
Trump enlisted Farage's assist in the course of the marketing campaign as a result of, like him, Farage was a political outsider – and had surprised the political institution over Brexit.
Farage spoke at a political rally in Mississippi for Trump in August, and Trump had famously issued that clarion cry: 'It's gonna be Brexit plus, plus, plus!'
The invitation for Farage to hitch Trump in New York got here within the early hours of Wednesday when it was clear Hillary Clinton was heading for a shock defeat. It was provided by Steve Bannon, chief government of the Trump marketing campaign, who has been hotly tipped to play a key function on the White Home.
Farage was already within the US as a result of he had been making a speech in Florida and was scheduled to look on chat exhibits. Arriving at Trump Tower on Saturday, he had anticipated to have talks with a few of the victorious marketing campaign group, and maybe come again for a short chat with Trump the next day, the president-elect's diary allowing.
However that was not what passed off in any respect. Farage and his celebration's go to coincided with an anti-Trump protest of 30,000 folks exterior Trump Tower – and a nervous US Secret Service ordered the constructing to be 'locked down'. Nobody was allowed in or out for four-and-a-half hours.
A triumphant Nigel Farage is relishing changing into the primary international celebration chief to fulfill president-elect Donald Trump
At one level, Farage and his group ventured on to a 21st-floor balcony for a cigarette, wanting down on the milling mob of protesters. Safety ordered them in, fearing they might be a goal for snipers.
It was as he was consuming espresso with Bannon that Trump's marketing campaign supervisor Kellyanne Conway walked previous. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed Farage, whose performances in Mississippi and on TV had gained him notoriety among the many Trump group.
Conway – tipped to be White Home Press secretary – embraced Farage and stated merely: 'Let's go and see the president. He desires to see you.'
They took two escalators to succeed in the penthouse then Farage and his celebration have been ushered in round 4pm. They left about an hour later – having organised selfies in entrance of Trump's gold-and-diamond door.
'It's actual gold, ,' they have been informed. 'And price greater than my home,' quipped certainly one of them, a multi-millionaire, in return.
After the Brexit consequence, this was the coup of Farage's life. So how did the 52-year-old, who has failed seven occasions to be elected to the Commons, handle it? He beat not solely prime ministers and presidents but additionally many senior Republicans within the race to interrupt bread with the person who, in two months' time, would be the strongest on the planet.
The important thing lies not simply with larger-than-life Farage, whose friendship with Trump was shaped within the warmth of battle on the marketing campaign path in Mississippi. But additionally with the 4 others who posed exterior the condominium door. Every had a task to play.
Theresa Might has needed to be content material with a mere phone name from Trump
Second from the left is businessman Arron Banks, 50, a former Tory donor who switched sides to Ukip in October 2014.
He had been planning to provide the celebration £100,000 as an introductory reward, however upped the donation to £1million when former Tory chief William Hague condescendingly claimed he had by no means heard of Banks. It was a severe error by Hague. Banks, who made his fortune in insurance coverage and owns diamond mines in South Africa, grew to become completely dedicated to the Brexit marketing campaign.
He wished not solely to safe an exit from the EU but additionally to humiliate David Cameron and the Tory excessive command – particularly after they launched into Challenge Concern.
He put £6.5million of his personal fortune into the marketing campaign for Brexit and recruited different wealthy businessmen to his Go away.EU trigger.
One key appointment by Banks was Gerry Gunster, a Washington political strategist, who has labored on dozens of referendums within the US and boasts a 90 per cent success fee. On becoming a member of Go away.EU, Gunster suggested making immigration a precedence and concentrating on disaffected white voters who feared for his or her jobs and had seen wages pushed down by EU migrants.
Crucially, Gunster knew main figures within the Trump marketing campaign and was at Trump Tower with Farage on the weekend. He was stood on the far left of the group image.
The determine on the fitting of the photograph is Raheem Kassam, who final month give up the Ukip management contest after it emerged he had posted offensive misogynistic messages about rivals on social media.
Kassam, 30, who has been London editor-in-chief of US information web site and radio station Breitbart since Might final 12 months, was chief adviser to Farage within the run-up to the final common election, during which the celebration acquired 4million votes and pushed the Lib Dems into fourth place.
It simply so occurs that Steve Bannon – the senior Trump aide who invited them to New York within the first place – is probably the most highly effective determine at Breitbart within the US. And it was Breitbart that helped expose the latest sexting scandal involving the husband of a key Clinton aide, Huma Abedin – which Hillary Clinton blamed this weekend for her defeat.
Farage was already within the US as a result of he had been making a speech in Florida
Kassam's misogynist leanings have an echo in Trump, after all. He needed to apologise to Suzanne Evans, who's operating for the Ukip management, after describing her as a 'wrinkly previous ginger chicken'. He as soon as known as for SNP chief Nicola Sturgeon's legs to be 'taped collectively' so she couldn't 'reproduce'.
One other gold-plated connection got here by 50-year-old Andy Wigmore, who's stood between Farage and Kassam within the . Wigmore, a businessman who works intently with Banks, is a diplomat with the Belize Excessive Fee in London working in commerce and trade.
His pedigree consists of operating his personal media firm, a stint as a TV reporter, and dealing within the presentation division of Conservative central workplace.
Like Banks he grew to become disillusioned with the Tories over their EU insurance policies. Greater than ten years in the past he efficiently sued former justice secretary Michael Gove over allegations about his non-public life. Gove paid £10,000 in damages.
After the Republican Conference in July, when Trump was endorsed as candidate, the hard-drinking Wigmore and Farage have been celebrating in a bar in Ohio late at night time.
Wigmore launched Farage to workers of Mississippi governor Phil Bryant, one of many few Republicans publicly backing Trump. They bought on so properly they have been invited to fulfill Bryant the next month.
4 weeks later Farage, Banks, and Wigmore met at Heathrow to fly to the US. They downed three 'cappuccino martinis', certainly one of Farage's favorite drinks.
On the aircraft they bought by 4 bottles of purple wine.
They have been picked up in a blacked-out limousine with safety workers and whisked off to fulfill Bryant and his spouse Deborah at their colonial-style mansion.
Within the automotive an aide of the governor talked Farage by the schedule, which included an interview on Mississippi's major radio station, a go to to the Mississippi authorities headquarters, lunch with supporters and a speech at a non-public fundraising occasion with Trump and his backers. It was to be billed 'Mr Brexit meets Mr Trump'.
In his ebook The Dangerous Boys Of Brexit, Banks reveals Farage dominated the fundraiser. 'The company couldn't get sufficient of Nigel's 25-year battle in opposition to the EU and victory within the referendum.'
Farage's speech was given a standing ovation. Banks' ebook says: 'Trump known as Farage again on stage and showered him with plaudits and drew parallels between the Brexit marketing campaign and his personal.'
Farage was given a tour of recent chief of the free world's New York residence with its floor-to-ceiling marble, gilded columns and pilasters
Trump then bought Farage to talk at an occasion in entrance of a crowd of 15,000 folks later that very same day. Trump dropped the previous New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had initially been scheduled to make the speech.
Farage duly whipped the group right into a frenzy when he stated Trump may – and would – win. 'You'll be able to beat the pollsters on this presidential race. We did it with Brexit. You are able to do the identical.
'If I used to be an American citizen I wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton for those who paid me. In reality, I wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton if she paid me.'
The gang went wild. Trump liked it. After the speech, as Trump was heading to his non-public jet for the following leg of his exhausting election tour, he noticed Farage, Banks and Wigmore and stated: 'These boys appear to be hassle.'
Again in Britain, Farage was publicly criticised by senior Ukip figures for embracing Trump. They feared that it will injury the Ukip model and so they criticised him for changing into concerned in an abroad election.
Farage informed me final night time: 'Anybody who is aware of Donald Trump says he's very loyal to individuals who have been loyal to him. Trump knew members of my very own celebration turned in opposition to me.
'He appreciated what I had accomplished. Assembly with us on Saturday was payback.
'As for my very own function, I'd say that a few of the noises about Trump popping out from the kids advising Theresa Might are so juvenile. Downing Road must be having a constructive dialog. If I may help that I'll.'
After Farage's success in Mississippi, Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway studied particulars of all of the non-public polling within the referendum.
They talked to Gerry Gunster. They finessed their message in regards to the affect of immigration on jobs and ruthlessly focused white working-class voters who had historically voted Democrat.
In addition they intently studied Farage speeches and interviews, deciding to make a advantage of Trump being despised by the institution of the Republican Celebration.
Because the Clinton camp wheeled out ever extra celebrities – from Madonna to Bruce Springsteen – Farage and Banks informed Trump to boast in regards to the truth they have been 'preventing on their very own in opposition to the remainder'. Banks, who's now contemplating severing his Ukip funding, stated that, no matter Downing Road decides about Farage, he shall be a participant.
'Trump and Farage are each charismatic. He can speak to Farage figuring out they aren't rivals however have the identical outlook. It's why he known as himself the Brexit president. Once we walked into the penthouse one of many first issues Trump stated was: "Do you suppose my win is as huge as Brexit?"
'Farage replied: "Brexit was the primary brick within the wall. Your victory is huge."'
Farage joked this week in regards to the prospect of a job with Trump: 'If he did provide me one thing I'd fairly wish to be his ambassador to the European Union. I feel I'd try this job very properly.'
After Saturday's encounter, it may be a extra severe proposition than anybody thought.
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