Donald Trump has backed Boris Johnson to be the next prime minister, in an interview with the Sun in which he also described Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, as “nasty”.

The president, speaking to the British newspaper before he visits the UK on Monday, expressed support for the former foreign secretary in his bid to replace Theresa May, saying: “I think Boris would do a very good job. I think he would be excellent.”

Trump’s endorsement has not been warmly welcomed. Mel Stride, the newly appointed Commons leader, said that while Trump was entitled to his opinion, he would not be picking the next prime minister of the UK, and put his own weight behind Michael Gove.

Stride told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There will be lots of people out there, and the president of the United States is a very important person of course, who will be backing different candidates in this race … We’ve got a time of national crisis right now that we face as a country and as a parliament and we need somebody who is ready to lead. And Michael is ready to lead.”

Q&A Itinerary: What will Trump be doing during his UK state visit? Show After arriving in the UK on Air Force One on Monday 3 June, US president Donald Trump will be formally welcomed in a ceremony in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. It will be attended by the Queen and Prince Charles. The president will then attend a private lunch at the palace, which is expected to be attended by Prince Harry, but not his wife, who Trump recently described as 'nasty'. Following a wreath-laying ceremony in Westminster Abbey, Donald Trump will join Prince Charles for an afternoon tea at Clarence House. The Queen, Prince Charles and Prince Harry will then host a state banquet in the evening, which will be attended by prominent US citizens who live in the UK, as well as political and civic leaders. On Tuesday 4 June the visit includes a breakfast meeting with Prince Andrew, and then talks and a press conference with prime minister Theresa May at Downing Street. On the Tuesday evening Trump hosts a dinner at the residence of the US ambassador. On Wednesday 5 June Trump will take part in commemoration services in Portsmouth to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The day ends with the Queen formally bidding farewell to the US president. Trump’s entourage will also include two identical seven-seat black armoured limousines nicknamed ‘The Beast’, and a number of presidential helicopters. The president has at his side at all times one of five rotating military aides who carry the nuclear ‘football’ which can trigger a missile strike - equipped with communication tools and a book with prepared war plans. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/X90178

Stride added: “The president of the United States of course is entitled to his opinion, but it’s not the case of him picking the next prime minister of our country. That process, as you know, will be one involving the parliamentary party and then the membership itself.”

Johnson has yet to respond to Trump’s comments, but the frontrunner in the Tory leadership race has not always been complimentary of the US president.

In 2015, when Trump claimed there were “no-go areas” in London where police feared for their lives because of a threat posed by Muslims, Johnson said it showed “quite stupefying ignorance that makes him frankly unfit to hold the office of president of the United States”.

May is to step down on 7 June, just days after Trump’s official state visit, which will include attending commemorations of the 75th anniversary of D-day in Portsmouth.

Nigel Farage claimed he had been banned from meeting Trump during his visit. The Brexit party leader said a Washington source told him Downing Street wanted to stop him meeting Trump. Farage told the Daily Express: “Isn’t it absolutely bizarre? Doesn’t it sum up why British politics needs to change? The small-minded pettiness.”

Farage added: “I supported him publicly, I speak to him occasionally on the phone, but I was told it was not to happen.”

During the state visit, the president, his wife, Melania, and his four adult children are expected to meet Prince Harry as well as Prince William and his wife, Kate. Meghan is expected to stay home with Archie.

Trump referred to the American-born Duchess of Sussex as “nasty” over comments she made in 2016 threatening to move to Canada if Trump won the presidency.

“I didn’t know that she was nasty,” he said when informed of her criticism. Meghan married Harry in 2018 and gave birth to their first child, Archie, in May.

Trump told the newspaper he did not know that he would not be meeting Markle but predicted she would make “a very good” American princess.

On Johnson, Trump said: “I like him. I have always liked him. I don’t know that he is going to be chosen, but I think he is a very good guy, a very talented person. He has been very positive about me and our country.”

Trump said other candidates had approached him in a bid to secure his endorsement.

“I could help anybody if I endorse them. I mean, we’ve had endorsements where they have gone up for 40, 50 points at a shot.”

Trump criticised May’s handling of Brexit negotiations with the European Union, saying she “didn’t give the European Union anything to lose”. Trump’s first visit to the UK as president, last year, was marred by similar critical comments he made to the Sun about May’s handling of Brexit.