Miliband on board – but avoids questions of his own leadership ambition

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

David Miliband has today given his slightly stronger backing to the PM but is still under fire for his belated and “lukewarm” sentiments last night.

Seven hours after the Hoon-Hewitt letter was originally released at noon yesterday, Miliband at last came out and said:

“I am working closely with the Prime Minister on foreign policy issues and support the re-election campaign for a Labour government that he is leading.”

Hardly a glowing endorsement.

In this interview below, David Miliband nimbly – though noticeably – avoids the question that his “quest for the leadership” means he might not “wholeheartedly support” Gordon Brown:

“Look, no member of the government was involved in yesterday’s letter.”

That’s an answer to something, but not to the question asked. Miliband then repeats his earlier platitude:

“We are all determined to win the election under Gordon’s leadership.”

Nimble footwork, perhaps. But convincing?