British ministers face criticism after filming social media video in Bangkok

British Labour ministers Ed Miliband and John Healey have faced criticism after filming a social media clip during an official trip to Bangkok, Thailand. The Daily Mail reported that the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor were recorded tasting local snacks inside a tuktuk. According to reports from the Daily Mail, The Independent, and HuffPost UK, the video generated negative reactions as the ministers attended key international meetings. [1][2][3]

The Daily Mail reported that the social media clip was filmed while both ministers were in Bangkok for annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Critics accused the pair of pretending to be influencers instead of focusing on crucial diplomatic discussions during an ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The Independent and HuffPost UK also noted that the video was widely mocked online ahead of an upcoming government budget. [1][2][3]

Miliband has served as the British Foreign Secretary since July 2026 and represents Doncaster North as a Member of Parliament. He previously held the role of Energy Secretary under Gordon Brown from 2008 to 2010 and under Keir Starmer from 2024 to 2026, and he led the Labour Party between 2010 and 2015. [4]