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Tugendhat blasts Miliband for 'virtue signalling over intelligence sharing' in a way that endangers Britain

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026.

Ed Miliband, whom Tom Tugendhat accused of running foreign policy like "an international NGO" while placing green ideology ahead of national security.
Ed Miliband, whom Tom Tugendhat accused of running foreign policy like "an international NGO" while placing green ideology ahead of national security.

Shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat tore into Ed Miliband at the Conservative Party conference on Tuesday, accusing him of putting his "personal agenda" ahead of national security. Tugendhat cited reports that British intelligence had cautioned against imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements, claiming Miliband chose virtue signalling over advice that would keep Britain safe. He also attacked Miliband for tying UK energy to China rather than tapping North Sea resources, and for shaking hands with Iran's foreign minister while Tehran was allegedly planning attacks on the UK.

Tugendhat quoted the late former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger, warning that global power is now 'determined by strongmen and deals'.

He mocked Andy Burnham's shifting positions, joking 'at least there's one Miliband who knows his foreign policy' — a dig at David Miliband's experience as foreign secretary.

The Tories also used the conference to announce plans for a new British missile defence system modelled on Israel's Iron Dome.

MoreThe Jewish ChronicleTugendhat blasts Miliband’s ‘virtue signalling’ over intelligence sharingDaily MailEd Miliband's 'personal agenda' hurting the UK says Tom Tugendhat in blast at 'virtue-signalling' Israel sanctions, handshake with top Iranian and green fixationThe TelegraphMiliband ‘sacrificing Britain’s future’ with stance on China and Iran
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