Britain’s very special relationship

IT’S the special relationship we have all heard about – and ­yesterday Britain and America seemed closer than ever.

Hilary Clinton and David Miliband speaking Hilary Clinton and David Miliband speaking

When the slightly geeky Foreign Secretary David Miliband sat next to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, few imagined just how friendly the pair had become.

Miliband, 44, is a fast-rising MP who was nicknamed Brains by Labour’s former director of communications Alastair Campbell because of his likeness to the character in Thunderbirds.

Mrs Clinton, 62, is best known as the former First Lady, who has a reputation for commanding authority since she took public office nearly 10 years ago.

Their friendship was captured on camera during talks between Nato foreign ministers in Brussels. The pair laughed and joked with each other, with Mrs Clinton gently squeezing Mr Miliband’s shoulder.

Her admiration for her British counterpart became public knowledge after she told a magazine she was smitten with him.

Speaking to American Vogue, she said: “If you saw him, it would be a big crush. I mean, he is so vibrant, vital, attractive, smart. He’s really a good guy. And he’s so young!”

Mr Miliband repaid the compliment last month, saying Mrs Clinton was “delightful to deal with one-on-one. She’s someone who laughs and can tease and she’s got perspective as well”.The warmth between the pair was seen during a meeting to decide whether more troops should be sent to Afghanistan.

Mr Miliband challenged Nato allies to do “the maximum possible” to support efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan.

Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said there were enough pledges to boost European forces by 7,000 next year. The increase, if translated into troops on the ground, answers US President Barack Obama’s call for European allies to do their bit in the wake of an extra 30,000 troops being sent by Washington.

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