Number 10 wished "good luck" to Donald Trump today despite the presidential candidate suffering a series of allegations of lewd behaviour towards women.
The good wishes were delivered to both Mr Trump and Hilary Clinton at a briefing by Downing Street officials, while Theresa May is away on a trade trip to India.
Asked if the Prime Minister had any message for the candidates, a Downing Street spokesman said: "I think the Prime Minister would wish them both good luck. "
Pressed on whether the PM would back Mr Trump despite the allegations against him, the spokesman said: "It is a matter for the American electorate who wins the American election, not us."
Only this morning Theresa May personally delivered a veiled attack on Mr Trump, saying: "I take a simple view about the way in which I like to see campaigns being conducted.
"I like them to be conducted in a calm and measured way with proper consideration of the issues.
"As for the result of the election, it's up to the American people and we will know that very soon."
Mr Trump’s bid for the White House has suffered damage from a slow trickle of women coming forward claiming to have been victimised by him in a sexual manner. Perhaps the most harmful, however, was the emergence of an Access Hollywood tape in early October from 2005 on which he could be heard boasting of making unsolicited advances on women including a reference to "grabbing" their genitalia.
Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron said: "Donald Trump is not just mad and bad but he’s also dangerous. Why would you wish him luck?
"I have never seen anyone so unworthy of the office of the Presidency in history. He is a nasty misogynist and woefully under prepared for the immense responsibility that comes with sitting in the Oval Office."
