Having initially been tipped for the role of chancellor, former Labour leader Ed Miliband has been appointed foreign secretary by Andy Burnham, the UK's new prime minister.
Accepting the role, Miliband said that it was an “honour and privilege” to take up the position. “My parents came to Britain as Jewish refugees from the Nazis,” he said.
“To them, Britain was both a sanctuary and a beacon of hope in the global fight against fascism. I will carry my parents' faith in that spirit of Britain to my role representing our country.”
The former energy minister said the world faced greater instability and graver threats to international law and democracy than at any time since the Second World War.
Miliband said he would strengthen alliances with the European Union, and work closely with Nato and the UN, as well as partners in the global south.
