Trump wants Reagan-era closeness with PM May: UK

US President-elect Donald Trump wants a close relationship with British Prime Minister Theresa May, similar to the one between former president Ronald Reagan and former premier Margaret Thatcher, Downing Street said on Monday.

May's official spokesperson said the UK government already has "well-established" channels of communication with Trump's team, dismissing the need to seek help from far-right UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage.

"The president-elect talked about enjoying the same relationship as Thatcher and Reagan. I don't recall there being any third person in that relationship," the spokesperson said.

The Downing Street has sharply dismissed suggestions that Farage could help to broker a relationship between May and Trump due to his closeness to the new president. 

"The relationship between Mr Trump and the PM is working well," the spokesperson said, adding that the British premier plans to meet the new US leader at the earliest.

The comments came as UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson also sought to downplay any concerns over US-UK relations under a Trump presidency.