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The UKIP interim leader has joined allies such as party donor Arron Banks at the Ritz for a reception with 120 guests to mark a year that has seen the former businessman secure his life-long ambition of helping the UK leave the European Union. He also became one of the first politicians to be granted an audience with the new President-elect, after visiting Trump Towers in New York earlier this month.

As they quaff champagne and sample canapés of coronation chicken and roast beef, Farage's achievements will be celebrated from a crowd including the likes of Tory Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg and the Barclay brothers - who own both the hotel and the Telegraph newspaper. The event at the five-star hotel in London was being held as a thank you celebration for Farage’s role in the EU referendum and an acknowledgement for his 25 years of dedication to UK politics.

STEVE FINN The UKIP interim leader has joined allies such as party donor Richard Desmond at the Ritz

And had Donald Trump lost the US election on November 8, the billionaire would likely have joined in the party himself. A few weeks ago, when polls suggested he would fail to be elected to the White House, Trump told the UKIP leader he would be at the party “win or lose”. But after having won, he realised he would not have enough space time to fit in a trip to London – and decided instead to invite Farage to New York for a meeting, making him the first major foreign politician he received.

STEVE FINN Farage was greeted by chocolate pyramid towers

SPLASH NEWS Trump was due to attend the event but will instead spend the weekend at his Palm Beach resort

Now organisers of tonight’s big bash have asked if Trump can supply a video message for the gala do, as he spends his Thanksgiving weekend in sunny Palm Beach, Florida. Exclusive pictures reveal the new President-elect will be spending the next few days at his lavish 17-acre 58-bedroom country club Mar-a-Lago Resort worth $10 million, which decadent interiors are dripping with gold leaf, carved stone and rare marble. While not quite a plush, Farage will also spend his evening in luxurious surroundings paid for by Banks, Richard Tice, a property developer who co-founded Leave.EU, and Lord Pearson, a Ukip peer.

Nigel Farage in pictures Mon, April 3, 2017 Nigel Farage is a British politician who has been the leader of the UK Independence Party since October 2016. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 48 Nigel Farage in pictures

He has had a hard year and done a good job and we wanted to thank him Andy Wigmore, a Belizean diplomat who is communications director of Leave.EU

The UKIP frontman also gave a speech reflecting on his year in politics, which will delight supporters and allies at tonight’s event. He said: “There’s one problem we’ve got. In America, the revolution is total. “Not only have the people spoken on one but the old administration, Obama and all those ghastly people are out, and the Trump people are in and they’re now in control. “The problem we have in this country is that whilst the people have spoken, the same players have just been shuffled around the chessboard.

GETTY Farage was one of the first politicians to meet Trump

PA The event at the five-star hotel in London was being held as a thank you celebration

“And we are still being run by the career professional political class. “I’m not sure whats going to happen over the course of the next couple of years but i suspect there’s going to be a big, seismic shock in British politics, perhaps going to come at the next election.” Andy Wigmore, a Belizean diplomat who is communications director of Leave.EU, said: “Arron and a few others wanted to thank him for Brexit and everything he has done and we’ve invited an eclectic mix of friends that he wanted to have a Christmas drink.

FAME FLYNET Guests include the likes of Tory Eurosceptic Jacob Rees-Mogg

“He has had a hard year and done a good job and we wanted to thank him.” Mr Wigmore, who was among Farage’s delegation that went to meet with Trump shortly after the election result, added: “The Ferrero Rochers are very important, we have done them in pyramids and the going-away gift is a box of Ferrero Rocher. “If we are going to take the piss out of him – Ambassador Farage – we may as well do it properly.”

FAME FLYNET Also attending the party are Joy Desmond and Mike Hookem