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Ed Miliband has hailed the UK and US as the “closest of allies” after holding talks with his counterpart in Washington, as he was again tackled over his past criticism of “racist” Donald Trump.
The Foreign Secretary thanked Marco Rubio for a “warm, productive meeting” at the US State Department and highlighted the transatlantic ties between the two nations, including as Nato members.
For his part, Mr Rubio was notably less effusive in his report of the meeting, with no reference to the so-called “special relationship”, and simply referred to the topics covered in the discussions.
Earlier, Mr Miliband had ignored questions about whether he still thought the president was an “idiot, a racist and a misogynist”.
Smiling as he shook hands with Mr Rubio, the Foreign Secretary ducked shouted inquiries by reporters about his previous strident views on Mr Trump, and said: “We are looking forward to our meeting.”
Mr Miliband was invited to the US capital by Mr Rubio after their recent first meeting on the sidelines of a foreign ministers’ summit in the Philippines last month.
The pair were due to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Ukraine war and the situation in Gaza.
The dynamic between the two men was closely watched as the White House was also reported to be concerned about Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to hand Mr Miliband the Foreign Office brief.
In his previous role as energy secretary, Mr Miliband was a strong champion of net zero and renewables, while Mr Trump is a vocal supporter of fossil fuels, including opening up North Sea oil, and an avowed opponent of “windmills”.
Since arriving in Downing Street, Mr Burnham has signalled a shift in energy policy, earning praise from the Oval Office.
Washington’s ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens said recently that Mr Miliband had been “wrong” in 2016 to call Mr Trump “a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper” and that “hopefully his views have changed”.
Miliband ignores questions about past views on Trump during Washington trip
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