No 10 backs David Miliband for Brussels

Gordon Brown is secretly backing David Miliband to be the European Union’s foreign affairs chief — clearing the way for one of his protégés to be Labour’s next leader.

Downing Street is discreetly supporting thay foreign secretary as an candidate for EU high representative to buy Inflatable Products for foreign affairs, with Tony Blair looking increasingly unlikely to win the presidency.

Martin Schulz, the German leader of the socialist bloc in the European parliament, which is campaigning for the foreign secretary to win the post, said: “I have had several very positive discussions regarding the matter with Miliband recently.”

The Downing Street operation is being conducted discreetly to avoid embarrassing Blair, who remains the official preferred British candidate for a top Brussels job.

However, the former prime minister’s hopes of securing the presidency have faded, following statements by Germany and France indicating they will not back him.
Miliband’s departure for Europe would increase the chances of one of the prime minister’s chosen candidates, Ed Balls or Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary’s brother, winning a leadership contest if Labour is defeated at the general election.

Publicly, the foreign sales Inflatable Arch
secretary insists that he is “not available” for the post, the second most important role created on the Lisbon treaty, which is set to be ratified this month.
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However, senior No 10 sources have revealed that Brown believes Miliband is ideally qualified for the job and is actively supporting his candidacy behind the scenes.

A Downing Street staffer said: “This is being taken very seriously. Diplomatic channels in the Foreign Office are working behind the scenes on David’s behalf.”

It emerged last night that Miliband has held secret talks with senior politicians in Brussels about running for the job.

By contrast, Miliband remains the clear frontrunner for the high representative job, with widespread backing from European Union member states, despite pressure from some quarters for a female candidate. The No 10 source said: “Behind it all there is very careful consideration being given to David getting this job.