Donald Trump has confirmed he intends to make his Orthodox son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a mediator to broker a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

The US president-elect made the confirmation in an interview with The Times published on Sunday night.

The announcement followed previous remarks in which Mr Trump indicated Mr Kushner could be his envoy to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Mr Kushner, 35, who is married to Mr Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, was officially announced as part of his team last week.

He will serve as an adviser in the White House.

The appointment has sparked criticism, however. US laws forbid government officials from promoting or appointing their family within the government agencies they work for.

Mr Kushner is thought to be one of the closest of Mr Trump’s advisers and was instrumental in his election victory.

In a interview with German newspaper Bild, Mr Trump said: “You know what? Jared is such a good lad, he will secure an Israel deal which no one else has managed to get.

"You know, he’s a natural talent, he is the top, he is a natural talent. You know what I’m talking about – a natural talent. He has an innate ability to make deals, everyone likes him.”

He added Mr Kushner’s wife would not be involved in government as she currently “has the kids” and was busy buying a house in Washington.

In his interview with the Times, Mr Trump also called the nuclear deal with Iran "one of the dumbest deals I’ve ever seen,” and urged the UK to veto any new UN Security Council resolution critical of Israel.