Politics latest: Labour accused of 'totally unjustified' decision on women hit by state pension age change

Caroline Flint, a Politics Hub panellist tonight, tells Sophy Ridge her fellow ex-Labour minister Peter Mandelson is "very networked internationally" and there's "no doubting his CV".

He's not only held cabinet positions during the Blair and Brown years, but also held trade roles and was Labour's spin doctor.

"Peter is very adaptable, I would say, in different situations," Caroline tells the programme.

She hasn't got "any worries" about him doing the job of US ambassador, even with such an unconventional president as Donald Trump.

'A formidable opponent'

Guto Harri, former Downing Street communications chief during the Boris Johnson years (and Trump's first presidency), says "in many ways it's an inspired choice".

Guto says: "He's hard as nails, he's brutal, he's shrewd, he can do charm, he does a lot of menace.

"And we are looking at a brutal transactional president who is not going to go sentimental about the special relationship. 

"He's going to try and nail the toughest deal possible on trade with the UK - and he's up against a formidable opponent here."