A computer whizz kid, with a record of backing George Bush, has been appointed as the new US Consul General, according to Government and Government House sources.

Gregory Slayton, who is behind the Silicon Valley Internet marketing giant ClickAction, will take on the post which has been vacant since Denis Coleman resigned in March 2004. He was co-chairman of the Silicon Valley Bush 2000 fundraising committee. Last night there was no official word from the US State Department on when he will take up the post although he has had to resign from the board of Borland Software because of his new commitment.