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Miliband 'will not take EU job' | Miliband 'will not take EU job' |
(20 minutes later) | |
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has rejected the chance to become EU high representative, the BBC understands. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband has rejected the chance to become EU high representative, the BBC understands. |
He has been seen as a frontrunner for the foreign affairs job, one of two created by the EU Treaty. | |
He had said he was not "available" to be a candidate but speculation he might leave the government has continued. | |
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Miliband had told the head of the European socialists' group on Sunday he was not interested in the job. | BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Miliband had told the head of the European socialists' group on Sunday he was not interested in the job. |
Our correspondent said Mr Miliband had rejected the lure of high office in Brussels for the uncertainty of life in a Labour government heading for a difficult election. | |
Foreign secretary since 2007, Mr Miliband has been touted as a future Labour leader and was urged by some to challenge Gordon Brown for the leadership in 2008. | |
He has been campaigning hard for former PM Tony Blair to get the other job created by the Lisbon Treaty, that of president of the European Council. | He has been campaigning hard for former PM Tony Blair to get the other job created by the Lisbon Treaty, that of president of the European Council. |
But there have been suggestions that Mr Miliband might be in the running for the foreign affairs role if Mr Blair fails to be selected for the job of president. | But there have been suggestions that Mr Miliband might be in the running for the foreign affairs role if Mr Blair fails to be selected for the job of president. |
The foreign secretary had responded to speculation he might take the job of EU high representative for foreign affairs by saying he was not "available" to be a candidate but had not ruled out taking it if it was offered. | The foreign secretary had responded to speculation he might take the job of EU high representative for foreign affairs by saying he was not "available" to be a candidate but had not ruled out taking it if it was offered. |
Several newspapers reported on Monday speculation had been fuelled further by Mr Miliband's appearance in Germany at celebrations marking 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. |