“One of the key qualifications is having clout in America. David has a very good relationship with Hillary Clinton [the US secretary for state] and is highly regarded in Washington, so he is very well placed.”

“I will not say anything that outdoor house Inflatable Obstacle could [put] any of my British colleagues in an difficult position,” he said.

The disclosure that No 10 is preparing to throw its weight behind Miliband will prompt speculation that Brown have given up on Blair’s hopes, since British candidates could not fill both Brussels posts.

The Sunday Times has learnt that Miliband has secretly held a number of discussions with the socialist faction in the European parliament about running for the job. Schulz, who said Miliband would make a “superb candidate”, refused to elaborate on the private talks.

Miliband was widely expected to running for the Labour leadership next year in the event of the party losing power after the general election, securing widespread support from the Blairite right of the party. His departure to Brussels would be a boon for Balls, the schools secretary, who is Brown most loyal henchman and who has made no secret of his ambition to lead the party.

It would also allow Ed person Inflatable Games Miliband, a former adviser to Brown, to throw his hat into the ring. It is widely assumed at Westminster that the climate change secretary, who is more popular among backbenchers than his sibling, would not run against his older brother.

The EU president and high representative will not be appointed until the Lisbon treaty has been ratified. It awaits the signature of Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic, the only country yet to ratify it. He is expected to sign this month. The council of ministers will then meet to elect the president and high representative by qualified majority.
While Brown has promoted Miliband, he has never forgiven the foreign secretary for toying with challenging him for the party leadership when Blair left office.


A spokeswoman for the foreign secretary insisted last night he was not a candidate for the Brussels job and was “working hard” for Blair.