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Ed Miliband has hailed the UK and US as the \u201cclosest of allies\u201d after holding talks with his counterpart in Washington, as he was again tackled over his past criticism of \u201cracist\u201d Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
The Foreign Secretary thanked Marco Rubio for a \u201cwarm, productive meeting\u201d at the US State Department and highlighted the transatlantic ties between the two nations, including as Nato members.<\/p>\n
For his part, Mr Rubio was notably less effusive in his report of the meeting, with no reference to the so-called \u201cspecial relationship\u201d, and simply referred to the topics covered in the discussions.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Mr Miliband had ignored questions about whether he still thought the president was an \u201cidiot, a racist and a misogynist\u201d.<\/p>\n
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: \u201cWe are looking forward to our meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Miliband was invited to the US capital by Mr Rubio after their recent first meeting on the sidelines of a foreign ministers\u2019 summit in the Philippines last month.<\/p>\n
The pair were due to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Ukraine war and the situation in Gaza.<\/p>\n
The dynamic between the two men was closely watched as the White House was also reported to be concerned about Prime Minister Andy Burnham\u2019s decision to hand Mr Miliband the Foreign Office brief.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cwindmills\u201d.<\/p>\n
Since arriving in Downing Street, Mr Burnham has signalled a shift in energy policy, earning praise from the Oval Office.<\/p>\n
Washington\u2019s ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens said recently that Mr Miliband had been \u201cwrong\u201d in 2016 to call Mr Trump \u201ca racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper\u201d and that \u201chopefully his views have changed\u201d.<\/p>\n
Miliband ignores questions about past views on Trump during Washington trip<\/p>\n
Next lifts profit outlook again after overseas and summer sales surge<\/p>\n