6 days ago
JD Vance will meet Nigel Farage for breakfast in the Cotswolds - after a 'barbecue and few beers' with Thomas Skinner
US Vice-President JD Vance is set to meet Nigel Farage for breakfast later today after spending the evening with The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner.
The US politician and reality TV star's unlikely friendship began on X and resulted in Skinner receiving an invite to join Mr Vance at his holiday residence in the Cotswolds.
The Essex trader said the opportunity was 'once in a lifetime', also describing the Vice-President as a 'proper gent'.
Vance hosted the barbecue with invitees including Cambridge Academic James Orr and Conservative MP Danny Kruger, The Times reported.
A picture of the pair was shared on Skinner's social media. He wrote: 'Here is a pic of Me and Vice President JD Vance towards the end of the night after a few beers
'I'm overdressed in my suit, but when the VP invites you to a BBQ, you don't risk turning up in shorts an flip-flops
'Cracking night in the beautiful English countryside with JD, his friends and family. Once in a lifetime. Bosh.'
In another reply, he added: 'When the Vice President of the USA invites ya for a BBQ an beers, you say yes.
'Unreal night with JD and his friends n family. He was a proper gent.
'Lots of laughs and some fantastic food. A brilliant night, one to tell the grand kids about mate. Bosh.'
The meeting follows the VP's visit to Chevening House in Kent where he and his family stayed with Foreign Secretary David Lammy for two days.
He reportedly also met Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick while in the UK.
His whistle-stop tour of British politicians is set to continue with breakfast alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in The Cotswolds tomorrow.
Thomas Skinner has become a social media star ever since appearing on The Apprentice in 2019.
He subsequently gained online attention for sharing videos of early morning breakfasts at his local cafe and his love for roast dinners.
He later appeared on Celebrity MasterChef in 2020.
In recent years, Skinner has held more meetings with politicians, including meeting Robert Jenrick, as his followers have begun to urge him to take his own step into politics.
Meanwhile Vance's presence in the English countryside has attracted some criticism with locals complaining of disruption and left–leaning protesters flocking to the area.
Jeremy Clarkson said his new summer neighbour has interrupted the filming of Clarkson's Farm as the secret service swarms the surrounding countryside and a no–fly zone has been put in place.
Motoring journalist turned farmer Clarkson said that the one–mile no fly zone around Vance's Cotswolds manor house rental is preventing drone cameramen on his Amazon Prime show from doing their job.
Protestors have also descended on the countryside for a 'JD Vance not welcome party'
The Stop Trump Coalition has been leading protests against both Mr Trump and Mr Vance's visits, and vowed to come out in force later today.
'JD Vance is a hideous moral vacuum and the British public want nothing to do with him,' said spokesmperson Zoe Gardner.
'It is nauseating to watch ministers' displays of fake friendship with this authoritarian, anti-democratic, genocide-enabling US regime.
'We will be throwing a 'Vance Not Welcome' party – using our free speech to let him know he and his politics of hate are not welcome in the Cotswolds or any part of our country.'
One woman held a sign saying 'Cotswold childless cat ladies say go home' - in a reference to Mr Vance's comments about America being governed by 'childless cat ladies'
Mr Vance is already considering following up his Cotswold holiday with a visit to Ayrshire later this week, prompting police to ready a 'significant policing operation' involving as many as 1,000 officers.
The massive security operation surrounding Dean Manor has prompted its owner to apologise to neighbours for the disruption.
The enormous property, where the Vice-President is staying, is located in a tiny hamlet of just 12 houses in Oxfordshire, and was picked out by US secret service personnel because of its remote secure location.
Stone walls 15ft tall protect its immaculately manicured six–acre gardens
The house, which was built 1702 in the reign of Queen Anne, is surrounded by teams of US secret service operatives dressed in regulation navy blue sports jackets and khaki chino trousers who are guarding the property around the clock.
The manor house's owner, Pippa Hornby, was also sworn to secrecy on the imminent arrival of her new high–profile tenant.
It is believed the rental may cost as much as £8,000 a week.
Fittingly for right–wing Republican Vice President Mr Vance, the manor house has a history of Tory political figures as previous owners.
It even has a former Tory Prime Minister living a very short stroll away.
Dean Manor was built in 1702 for local Oxford Tory MP Thomas Rowney and is grade II listed.
It was until recently owned by Tory peer Peter Selwyn Gummer, Baron Chadlington.
Former Tory Prime Minister David Cameron – who is also known as Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton – also lives in Dean with his wife Samantha and he has a permanent team of armed Metropolitan Police Protection officers at his home there.
Dean Manor is about as close a neighbouring property to Clarkson's own Cotswolds home, Curdle Hill Farm, better known as Diddly Squat Farm, can be.
They are a mile apart as the crow flies, separated mainly by Clarkson's own arable fields.
