Anthony Scaramucci compares Donald Trump's struggle to repeal Obamacare to abolition of slavery

The White House's new head of communications compared repealing Obamacare to the abolition of slavery when he was questioned about Donald Trump's struggle to amend US healthcare legislation.

Anthony Scaramucci insisted the President would be able to push past opposition in Congress to scrap his predecessor's landmark law, which has extended insurance coverage to millions more Americans.

In his first UK television interview, he cited Abraham Lincoln's fight to end slavery as a precedent for Mr Trump's difficulties with Congress.

"It took Lincoln three or four times to get what he wanted from the Senate and the House of Representatives, which was the full abolition of slavery," he told BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis.

He added: "That was a much tougher thing to get done than what we’re working on right now.”

Republicans were set to begin their final push on Thursday to unravel Obamacare, seeking to wrap up their seven-year offensive on the Democrat's health reforms.

The leaders hope a pared-down "skinny" bill that repeals several key Obama provisions can gain enough support to pass after several attempts at broader legislation failed to win approval earlier this week.

They were expected to propose scrapping requirements for individuals and employers to obtain or provide health insurance, and abolishing a tax on medical device manufacturers.

Asked about Mr Trump's struggle to secure repeals, Mr Scaramucci said: "It took 22 months for President Obama to get what he wanted from the legislature. We’re in the six months of the President’s presidency. So think about the things we are trying to accomplish inside of one year.

"If we get Obamacare repealed and replaced, which I predict will still happen, and we get a level of tax reform that we haven’t seen since 1986 and we do that inside of a 12-month period of the presidency, I think that will be remarkable.”

The communications director also praised Mr Trump's controversial style, describing him as "a very straight-shooter" who does not indulge in Washington "back-stabbing".

"Where I grew up, in the neighbourhood I’m from, we’re front-stabbers," Mr Scaramucci added.

The White House spokesman added he was "100 per cent" certain there will be a US-UK trade deal after Brexit.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has been in Washington to discuss a potential trade agreement and Mr Trump talked up the prospects of a "very big and exciting" deal with the UK.

Asked by Ms Maitlis whether a deal was on the cards, Mr Scaramucci said: "100 per cent. He loves the United Kingdom.

"Think about the special relationship we've had since the inception of this great nation."

He said he had "no idea" about whether a deal would involve chlorine-washed chicken, but added Mr Trump was "about reciprocity, he is about fair and equal trade".