Oxford University has distanced itself from Ted Malloch, “the political scientist who wants to be Donald Trump’s ambassador in Brussels, accusing him of falsely claiming to be a fellow at two of its colleges,” the Financial Times reports.

“This week the FT identified a number of misleading statements in Mr Malloch’s autobiography, including claims that he was ‘knighted’ into the Sovereign Order of St John by the Queen and called a ‘genius’ by Margaret Thatcher… The FT has found further signs that Mr Malloch — whose specialist subjects include business ethics — has exaggerated his academic and diplomatic credentials.”

Ted Malloch, President Donald Trump’s likely pick for ambassador to the European Union, told the BBC that the single currency “could collapse” in the next year and a half.

Malloch also said that despite the obstacles, Britain “would gain a free trade deal well ahead of the rest of the EU and the elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany could lead to a fundamental shake-up of the union.”

Said Malloch: “I personally am not certain that there will be a European Union with which to have free trade negotiations.”