New Prime Minister Andy Burnham is heading for an explosive clash with Donald Trump after risking a major White House row on his first day in office. In a brutal purge of Sir Keir Starmer's old allies on Monday, Burnham stunned political insiders by making Ed Miliband the new Foreign Secretary.
But the move has sent shockwaves through the Trump administration, with terrified insiders warning the explosive appointment could cause a meltdown in the "special relationship" between the US and UK. US officials are reportedly seething over the decision, branding Miliband a "point of friction" between the two nations before he's even unpacked his bags.
White House concerns
A White House source told the Daily Telegraph they were "deeply concerned" about Miliband taking top job in diplomacy, especially after Trump's team are said to have secretly warned Burnham's crew to keep the eco-warrior away from them. Trump's administration is understood to be furious over Miliband's enthusiasm for green energy projects, but the real fireworks stem from a bitter history of bad blood.
The former Labour boss has never hidden his feelings for the US President. Miliband previously blasted Trump's policies as a "climate culture war" and launched an extraordinary TV tirade, saying: "The idea that we have shared values with a racist, misogynistic self-confessed groper beggars belief."
International fallout
Miliband also infuriated Washington by fighting against the US using British bases to bomb Iran - a row that famously led Trump to insult Sir Keir Starmer as "not Winston Churchill." Burnham's bold new cabinet has now potentially set off an international powder keg, leaving UK-US relations hanging by a thread on his very first day on the job.
It comes as Angela Rayner made a sensational return to government on Monday, while Rachel Reeves was dramatically booted out as Chancellor and replaced by former defence chief John Healey. Burnham wasted no time stamping his authority, bringing back Rayner as Housing Secretary while executing a total purge of senior ministers.
Ex-Deputy PM David Lammy, Steve Reed, Peter Kyle, Liz Kendall, and Lord Hermer were all brutally shown the door. Meanwhile, Louise Haigh was promoted to First Secretary of State, Yvette Cooper takes over as Health Secretary, and Shabana Mahmood and Pat McFadden survived the cull to keep their roles in the new-look government.
