British PM says Miliband 'never a candidate' for EU job

(LONDON) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Tuesday that Foreign Secretary David Miliband was never in the running for a new EU foreign affairs job, insisting Tony Blair was London's "only candidate."

"David Miliband was never a candidate for the high representative job," Brown told a press conference in London.

"Britain has only one candidate for the European Council positions that are being discussed at the moment. That candidate is Tony Blair, and his candidature is for the presidency of the council."

Miliband's name has been circulated in Brussels as a strong candidate for the job of EU high representative for foreign affairs, one of two new positions to be created under the Lisbon Treaty along with the new EU council president.

However, the foreign secretary -- tipped as a future leader of Brown's ruling Labour party -- has denied he is in the running, and reports suggest he has already rejected the job.

Meanwhile, the British government has been pressing for Blair, who was Labour prime minister between 1997 and 2007, to be appointed council president.

His chances appeared to have dwindled because of Britain's stance in Europe and his role in taking Britain into the war in Iraq, which was strongly opposed by France and Germany.

Brown admitted Blair was "controversial" to some people in Europe "because of decisions that have been made", but said he "was an excellent candidate, he's highly respected across Europe" and remained Britain's choice.

In Brussels, there is more attention now on Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy becoming the first EU president.