The White House is reportedly concerned about British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s appointment of Ed Miliband as foreign secretary, warning that his views could create friction with Washington.
According to The Telegraph, Trump administration officials raised objections during informal talks with Burnham’s team before he replaced Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister.
A senior administration official said Miliband’s support for green energy and opposition to further North Sea oil and gas drilling could damage relations with President Donald Trump.
Miliband also opposed allowing US bombers to use British bases during the war against Iran and has repeatedly attacked Trump. He previously called the president a “racist, misogynistic self-confessed groper” and joined an anti-Trump march in London.
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon said Washington had warned Burnham that the appointment would be “very injurious” to the special relationship.
In his first statement as foreign secretary, Miliband pledged to deepen Britain’s strategic alliance with the European Union while maintaining its “strong, enduring and essential alliance” with the United States.
