Image source, Getty Images

Downing Street has strongly rejected claims that ministers will be forced to use Nigel Farage as a "go-between" with the new Trump administration in the US.

The Daily Telegraph, external says ministers will have to seek the advice of UKIP's interim leader because they have no links to the president-elect.

But sources close to the prime minister denied the government lacked contacts with Mr Trump's team. They said Mr Farage, who campaigned for Mr Trump, was an "irrelevance". Read more

Good morning and welcome to our political live page. Today we look at reaction to claims that ministers will be forced to use Nigel Farage as a "go-between" with the new Trump administration - claims that are strongly rejected by Downing Street. This follows the US president-elect's invitation for Theresa May to visit Washington in a call in which both stressed the importance of UK/US relations. 

In other news, Liberal Democrat, Labour and SDLP MPs have told the BBC they are prepared to vote against triggering Article 50, while former chancellor George Osborne heads to Buckingham Palace to receive a Companion of Honour award from David Cameron’s resignation honours list. 

Meanwhile, the political parties select their candidates to stand in the Sleaford & Hykeham by-election - sparked by the resignation of Conservative Stephen Phillips over "irreconcilable policy differences" with the government. Follow us for all the twists and turns throughout the day.

US share markets rise strongly shrugging off fears that a Trump victory could lead to a Wall Street sell-off.

World leaders react to Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections.

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has been sharing his thoughts on Donald Trump's victory and what it means for the centre-left. In a series of tweets, he argues that Labour and its sister parties must address the resentment caused by inequality and globalisation but also find a way to talk about the issues of identity and nationhood that he says is fuelling the anti-politics mood. 

Image source, Reuters

• Wednesday has understandably been dominated by a single story: the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election. 
• PM Theresa May sent her congratulations to the president-elect while Nigel Farage said Mr Trump would be a good friend to the UK
• Financial markets didn't crash as had been feared following Trump's win, recovering early losses to edge upwards
• Elsewhere, two families defeated the government in a Supreme Court appeal over the "bedroom tax."

Nigel Farage says it is vital the UK "gets on" with Donald Trump and he is willing to help build bridges.

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness accuses the Westminster government of making up Brexit policy as it goes along.

Scotland's first minister congratulates Donald Trump on his surprise US election win despite admitting it was "not the outcome I wanted".

President Barack Obama tells reporters: "We're all on the same team" as he insists he is looking forward to doing whatever he can to make Donald Trump's presidency a success.

"I'm confident that this incredible journey that we're on as Americans will go on," he says, adding that he sees the presidency as "a relay run".

"You take the baton and run your best race and by the time you hand it on you've made a little progress."

President Barack Obama says he congratulated Donald Trump during the night and invited him to the White House.

While he has some significant differences with Mr Trump,  he has instructed his team to work as hard as they can to achieve a successful transition - the same way George W Bush handed over the mantle to him, he said.

Turning to Hillary Clinton, Mr Obama insisted: "I could not be prouder of her - she's lived an extraordinary life of public service..."

He added that her candidacy and nomination was historic and "sends a message to our daughters" all that they can achieve.