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Beckett gives warning to Miliband Beckett warns Miliband not to run
(about 2 hours later)
David Miliband would become a "human sacrifice" if he stood against Gordon Brown as Labour leader, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has warned.David Miliband would become a "human sacrifice" if he stood against Gordon Brown as Labour leader, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has warned.
The environment secretary would be silly to run against the chancellor "because of someone else's prejudices", Mrs Beckett told the Daily Telegraph. The environment secretary would be "daft" to take on the chancellor "because of someone else's prejudices", Mrs Beckett told the Daily Telegraph.
She added that the chancellor is "head and shoulders" above any other candidate for the leadership. She said Mr Brown was "head and shoulders" above any other candidate.
Mr Miliband has repeatedly referred to Mr Brown as prime minister-in-waiting. Mr Miliband, a strong supporter of Tony Blair, has repeatedly insisted he will not stand for the Labour leadership.
'Complete nonsense' 'Artificial contest'
In an interview, Mrs Beckett said the 41-year-old environment secretary would be unwise to put his career at risk by running against Mr Brown. In an interview, Mrs Beckett said the 41-year-old would be unwise to put his career at risk by running against Mr Brown, who is seen as the strong favourite to win.
I am sure that he will be a major contender at some time in the future Margaret BeckettI am sure that he will be a major contender at some time in the future Margaret Beckett
She added that the chancellor was so far ahead of any potential challenger that a contest would be "artificial". She added: "If Gordon fell under a bus tomorrow we have got a lot of potential leaders, but it is no discredit to any of them to say that Gordon is head and shoulders ahead of those, so what is the point of having an artificial contest for the sake of it?"
Asked about rumours that Mr Miliband was being urged to run by Blairite MPs, she said: "I think, 'Poor David'. It is complete nonsense. So far only two MPs - left-wingers Michael Meacher and John McDonnell - have declared they will run for the Labour leadership.
Earlier this month, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke urged Mr Miliband to stand, saying he would be a "good candidate and a good prime minister".
'Very bright'
He said this was not about "stopping Gordon Brown" but "promoting serious policy and political discussion".
But Ms Beckett said Mr Miliband would be ill-advised to run, adding: "I think, 'Poor David'. It is complete nonsense.
"He is very bright. He is a very good minister."He is very bright. He is a very good minister.
"I am sure that he will be a major contender at some time in the future."I am sure that he will be a major contender at some time in the future.
"But should he take this step to satisfy someone else's prejudices? He would be daft.""But should he take this step to satisfy someone else's prejudices? He would be daft."
In reply to a question about whether the public had the right to expect a contest, she replied: "But what about the poor bloody human sacrifice?" Ms Beckett was herself beaten by Mr Blair in the contest to become Labour leader in 1994.