British security chiefs are alarmed at Donald Trump’s choice for the most senior intelligence role in America and hope she is blocked, The Telegraph can reveal.

Tulsi Gabbard is facing intense scrutiny over her perceived support for Russia and Syria as she seeks to become the US director of national intelligence, an appointment which needs US Senate approval.

The Telegraph understands that there is also deep disquiet at senior levels of the UK security services over the prospect of her appointment, which would give her access to the most sensitive secret intelligence.

After being grilled by the Senate Intelligence Committee last week, the committee is set to vote on her appointment in a private session on Tuesday. Her confirmation will then go before the full Senate for approval which will likely happen next week.

The confirmation presents another diplomatic challenge for Mr Trump as he engages in a trade war with China. A call between Mr Trump and Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, was cancelled after Beijing retaliated against tariffs imposed by the US.

In the past, Ms Gabbard pointed blame towards Ukraine hours after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and cast doubt over Syrian chemical weapons use after meeting dictator Bashar al-Assad.