Miliband insists he is not available for EU role

London: David Miliband emerged as a serious contender to become the EU's first high representative for foreign policy even as Tony Blair's chances of assuming the presidency of the European Council faded.

The foreign secretary, who has impressed European leaders across the political spectrum with his ardent defence of the EU in recent weeks, is on a shortlist of candidates drawn up by the umbrella group of the EU's centre-left parties, the Party of European Socialists.

Miliband, 44, would become the most senior Briton in the EU since the late Roy Jenkins served as president of the European commission between 1977-81 if he is appointed as high representative for foreign and security policy.

The new post and that of the president of the European Council are expected to be filled in the next month if, as expected, the Czech Republic ratifies the Lisbon treaty. EU leaders want the two jobs operational by 1 January.

Miliband reiterated that he was not available for the post, which is expected to be awarded to a politician from the left as the presidency goes to a figure from the centre right, and he is by no means seen as a frontrunner for the high representative post.

Elisabeth Guigou, a former French Socialist Europe minister, is also seen as a strong contender.

The sensitivity of Miliband assuming such a high-profile EU job, thus triggering a byelection in his South Shields constituency months before the general election was highlighted in Brussels. At a joint press conference with Gordon Brown at the European council, the foreign secretary was asked about the shortlist of candidates which includes his name.

Denial

The prime minister intervened to dismiss the idea that Miliband had been proposed by the Socialist group at their traditional pre-summit meeting. "Let me just say, I have been at the meeting," the prime minister said. "That was not their decision, just let me tell you. Also if there is a shortlist I am sure David would be on it because he has excellent qualifications. But he doesn't want to be on it. And indeed there is no such list."

Miliband laughed and said: "Not available, as the prime minister said."

The tense exchanges showed that Downing Street would be reluctant to lose the foreign secretary so soon before the general election. No 10 may fear that allowing Miliband to head off to Brussels would give the impression that a senior minister was bailing out before an expected Labour defeat.

Miliband has been careful to distance himself from the post, though he has never ruled himself out.

Abandoning Britain for a senior EU post, which would last for five years, would rule him out of succeeding Brown as leader of the Labour party if the prime minister loses the general election.