The new British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, being invited by him to Washington, and on this occasion, journalists asked him uncomfortable questions, which he ignored.
During the handshake between the two officials, journalists present alongside their colleagues photographers shouted questions about the criticism made by Miliband in 2016, stating that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who had not yet started his first term in the White House, is „an idiot, a racist, and a misogynist.”
The Minister continued to smile and pose together with his host, only saying that "we look forward to the meeting," dpa reports.
Miliband and Rubio were supposed to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the war in Ukraine, and the situation in the Gaza Strip.
American Ambassador to London, Warren Stephens, recently stated that he hopes the British Foreign Minister has since changed his opinion about Trump. The diplomat promised to collaborate with Miliband in his new role, despite disagreements on environmental issues.
Prior to this, Miliband was the Minister of Energy, a position from which he strongly advocated for net zero carbon emissions policies and transitioning to renewable energy sources, while Trump is a strong supporter of fossil fuel use, including North Sea oil, and a vocal opponent of "windmills."
According to press sources, the White House was concerned about Prime Minister Andy Burnham's decision to appoint Miliband as the head of the Foreign Office, the foreign ministry in London.