Face of Nation : Tweeting, Mr Hunt said: “@realDonaldTrump friends speak frankly so I will: these comments are disrespectful and wrong to our Prime Minister and my country.
Mr Hunt confirmed that he would keep Sir Kim on should he win the leadership contest, adding: “But allies need to treat each other with respect as @theresa_may has always done with you.
“Ambassadors are appointed by the UK government and if I become PM our Ambassador stays.”
However, a spokesperson from the US commerce department told Sky News “The Department is working to reschedule today’s meeting to a mutually agreeable time.”
Earlier in the day, Mr Trump called Sir Kim, the UK’s US ambassador “wacky” and a “pompous fool” on social media on Tuesday morning.
The US president added that Sir Kim Darroch had been “foisted upon the United States” and is “not someone we are thrilled with”.
A series of diplomatic messages sent by the ambassador were leaked at the weekend, in which Sir Kim described Mr Trump as “incompetent”, “inept” and “insecure”.
The revelation has provoked the ire of America’s 45th president, who in recent days has said Sir Kim has “not served the UK well”, claimed “I do not know the ambassador” and that Washington “will no longer deal with him”.
And he has used his favourite method of communication, Twitter, to renew his attack.
Mr Trump wrote: “The wacky Ambassador that the U.K. foisted upon the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy.”
Prime Minister Theresa May also came in for more criticism, with Mr Trump having on Monday accused her of making a “mess” of Brexit.
The president continued: “He should speak to his country, and Prime Minister May, about their failed Brexit negotiation, and not be upset with my criticism of how badly it was handled.
“I told @theresa_may how to do that deal, but she went her own foolish way-was unable to get it done. A disaster!
“I don’t know the ambassador but have been told he is a pompous fool.
“Tell him the USA now has the best Economy & Military anywhere in the World, by far and they are both only getting bigger, better and stronger…..Thank you, Mr. President!”
Earlier in the day, Mrs May told a cabinet meeting that it was “absolutely right” that they continued to give their full support to Sir Kim, and that the leaked messages did not reflect the closeness of the relationship with the US.
Tory leadership frontrunner Boris Johnson said he had a “good relationship” with Washington.
“I think it’s very important that we have a strong relationship with our most important ally,” he said.
“The United States is, has been, will be for the foreseeable future the number one political, military friend and partner.”
The House of Commons’ foreign affairs committee has launched an urgent inquiry into the Foreign Office’s secure communications and handling of classified information following the leak.
