London, Dec 28: Former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband could reportedly be offered the post of ambassador in Washington.

Downing Street believes that Miliband, who is still recovering from being beaten to the Labour leadership by his brother Ed, has the skills and abilities to hold the position.

According to The Guardian, some cabinet members have proposed his name for the post because Sir Nigel Sheinwald, who has been holding the post since October 2007 is doe to retire soon.

It is believed that Miliband has developed a strong personal relation with the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and is expected become a trusted voicefor Britain with the Obama administration, the paper said.

If the post is offered and accepted by him, it would mean end of Miliband's political career at Westminster, and require a by-election in his South Shields constituency, it added.

The paper quoted former cabinet colleagues who spoke to Miliband as saying that he is worried about the idea partly because he is not clear it is a job with real power, rather than a message carrier from the British government to the US.

Before the general election Miliband was in line to become the EU''s chief foreign policy representative, but he rejected the posting to concentrate on making Labour delectable. The post instead went to Lady Ashton, the former leader of the Lords, the paper said. (ANI)