What a wonderful day for conspiracy theorists! Just when we thought the world was getting boring again!

KR, Stockport,

16,000 BAe jobs at risk?
The British tax-payer subsidises those 16,000 'employees' £13,000+ pounds each.
Britain wants to play on the big stage so it needs an arms industry.
I am glad that as a seafarer I don't pay my taxes to support the mis-named 'defence' industry, nor do I pay for state visits.

Martin, almeria, spain

From the comments I've read I'm gathering that if Mr. Miliiband's wife was giving birth it would be acceptable for him to miss this appointment, but because it's 'just' the birth of their adoptive child it's not acceptable. How terribly close-minded. An adopted child is still their child just as much as if they'd conceived it themselves. And as to this: "(w)hat's all this about being present at the birth of an adopted child!? Talk about weird! " It's not weird at all to want to be there for the birth of your child. You certainly wouldn't say so if it were his wife giving birth. I saw bravo to Mr. Miliband. He's stepping up to be a father, something many men just won't do. And in the process he's missing a meeting with the leader of one of harshest regimes on the planet, one that believes homosexuality is a crime punishable by death. That just sounds like a bonus to me.

Alicia, Powhatan, VA, USA

Why is it an embarrassment? It isn't! I think David Milliband has the right to not meet the Foreign Minister, he couldn't really say to Al Faisal, that his foreign an ddomestic policies are abhorrent could he? Would you? I some how think not.

Also if someone in your family gave birth or if you were adopting a child, I;m sure you would want to spend time with them! I think made the right decision, it shows that Milliband cares about his family, however I am sure he is committed to British Foreign Policy. Along with that, with all of the stories in the Press at the moment I somehow don't think that he wants his reputation ruined by cries of blackmail and harrassment on the part of the Saudis!

Owain Gardner, Oakham, UK

"Prince Faisel, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, is a far better educated and cultured person than the British apology for a foreign secretary
Sam Bartlett, Sousse, Tunisia"
Far better educated I assume means has made more donations and paid more and more cultured I assume means ostentatious displays of unearned wealth. Prince Faisal was educated at Princeton and has made multi-million dollar pledges to many universities since. Miliband gained a First at Oxford and then a Masters as a Kennedy Scholar at MIT. He is also married to a professional violinist who plays for the London Symphony. Regardless of my views of David Miliband, the facts don't really support your point.

Ed, London,

Taking a period of leave, eh? Good: the absence from the media of Milibrand of Whimsy and his earnest sixth form essays is to be welcomed. The Saudis have been spared and should be thankful.

m collins, Leeds, England

Mr. D. Milliband is a disgrace. He should be removed from office if he does not have the spine to resign. A pathetic excuse and a highly embarrassing situation.

16,000 jobs in the UK rely on Saudi Eurofighter orders alone or does one adopted American child take precedent? This man needs to get his priorities straight. We need to remain competitive in this World - this boy is a spoilt, egotistical worm whom should be back where he belongs - managing some mid-level trade union or university newspaper not representing 60 million people or an underfunded British Army that must be reeling from such cowardice from a Foreign Secretary.

chris, Manchester, UK

Milliband has been a disgusting and amateurish, unprofessional and cowardly excuse of a foreign secretary. He should resign.

IF he disagrees with the appalling human rights of Saudi Arabia, then he should have the courage and honesty to say so. Not use his adopted son as a pathetic excuse.

But then honesty and courage have never been words that could describe any of our current Ministers.

Milliband is a terrible excuse for a Minister and should resign.

Ken Hall, Barrow in Furness, UK

Whats the big deal? The House of Saud was ignored by its master - so what. It is not appropriate for the servant to complain.

Fahad Qureshi, London,

Surely David Milliband knew the trip was coming up as well as the adoption. How a person who is foreign secretary to Her Majesty's Government could not have seen this coming is beyond me. It also makes me wonder about his credentials as a diplomat. Given what is at stake here, DM should consider resigning if he cannot be at his post when one of the most important investors or buyers of British goods comes calling.

John Taylor, London,

Very nice of Mr Miliband to be taking leave after adoption, he will also qualify for SAP (adoption pay) pity this government does not do the same for the self employed who adopt. We have just brought home our daughter and despite us paying NI that gives us the right to the benefit we will receive nothing. Hardly helping children into families is it?

Michael Johnston, Keith, Scotland

The Foreign Secretary is not at his desk 24/7 is he? The addition to his family could surely have been arranged around his official duties with a little more foresight. But there again Nu Labour seem unable to get into gear with any sort of forward planning.

Robert Carmichael, Hull., East Yorks.,

What does anyone exspect.New Labour live by the mantra of political correctness.Of course Milliband should take paternity leave,it is not as if he is anyone important.,just our Foreign Secretary

robin hart, sutton coldfield, uk

When you take on offices of State then that is the priority as you are representing your country and its 60 million citizens.

Milliband has made a selfish decision to put his family in front of the citizens of this country. The position carries responsibility - Milliband has shown himself to be irresponsible and should resign.

David, Gloucester, UK

Bonding with an adoped son is important, but this is just diplomatic-speak for what is clearly intended as an insult - else Mr Brown would have stepped into the breach.

The problem is that we really shouldn't be insulting them. Their geographical positioning gives them access to oil, which is worth a war to some nations. Their cultural and political positioning gives them access to a fair spread of intelligence, perhaps capable of stopping a war. Those benefits alone have enormous value, and they know it, and they are not dispensed gratis.

Sure, its not a particularly 'nice' regime, but if it was they couldn't rule in that area of the world. Remember, we're currently trying to get some nice guys [relatively speaking] to rule Iraq, and see what a French farce we're making of that!

Let Mr Miliband cuddle his son in the evenings, and get the job done in the day. Enormous value to the people who pay his salary shouldn't be thrust aside by the enormous ego of him and his boss.

Mike Hart, London, UK

Surely it is easier to rearrange a ministerial meeting than to reschedule a birth? Surely it is good to entrust political office to a man who puts real relationships before ceremonial pomp when all sides understand the situation? Surely we have moved beyond the inhumanity of demanding work-life imbalance of our public figures?

There is no snub in David Milliband's actions - no offence, no disrespect to the King, no dereliction of duty, no harm to the country's interests, just good reason to support his decision.

The Times headline is not good reporting - it is spin.

gareth jones, Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom

Regardless of one's views of the Saudi regime, the fact still remains that this man is a visiting dignitary from a country of strategic and economic importance to the United Kingdom. He therefore deserves to be treated with respect and it is not good enough for the Foreign Secretary to have "adopted child" leave when he arrives. Shouldn't he have had his leave once the Saudi statesman had left the UK - after all, he's only here for a few days?

This really is shambolic and typical of New Labour - the rights of one are allowed to stand before common decency and common sense. Please let's have a change of Government!

Matthew White, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Milliband is a danger to Britain in this job. I was present at the annual Hong Kong dinner in London two weeks ago when Milliband was unbelievably insulting to the visiting Chinese, saying that they were lucky to have him there as he had spent the earlier part of that day on "really important world things" with his EU colleagues. Chris Patten, who was also there, looked quite ill.

Martyn, Cambridge, UK

What's all this about being present at the birth of an adopted child!? Talk about weird! Our gov ministers are like spoiled 5 year olds, crying in public, boo hoo hoo, getting time off to mow the lawn and watching some stranger give birth to their child! Yuck. Crikey. It's like some extra over the top bonkers sci fi novel! Plus they get paid like zillions for messing about in their pyjamas and not doing their jobs. If I was a Saudi I would tell them all to p.... off!
Roy Eltor is some pc person from this self same world. Pompous or what!
By the way I think you will find that foreign minister " Mr al Faisal " is actually a Prince! Or is he insisting on downmarketing himself when visiting plebian countries, run by nincompoops like UK?

Emily P, Cambs, UK

I wonder if the hate text books supplied by the Saudi Kingdom will be mentioned during this visit. England is being suckered from all directions due to the complacency of our politicians.

redjupiter, london, UK

This regime should not be toadied to. If it were not for their oil riches we would not break bread with a country that is so deeply undemocratic and xenophobic.


They want rights in this country but are not accommodating when Christians are in their gold-plated sandpit.

Kevin O'Neill, London,

What an appalling insult to one of the countries largest customers and allie in the war against terrorism. Another example of a boy doing a mans job!!
And an insult to all the statesmen who have previously held the post and put service to the country as their first priority.
He should be dismissed before he does further damage.

John Francis, Thirsk, North Yorks

Milliband has got it spot on.Hes put his family values first and nothing else matters.Whoever he was due to meet is totally irrelevant.
TG from Newark is completely off his head when he talks of resignation-utter tripe.

kw, swindon,

If any kind of joined up goverment exists - and that apparently cannot be taken for granted - then a State Visit implies if not exactly warmth then a mutual recognition of shared interests or a will to explore those interests. A Foreign Secretary is not paid to publicly parade his personal views - rather to hide them. He is there for the furtherance of government policy - to listen, learn and to try to persuade - regardless of his personal feelings - in the greater national interest. Of all people he should be the first to meet important foreign visitors. Of all people he should be the last to engage in a snub or protest.

Bob T, London, UK

Why's that Charles Wetherby, is he representing Jews or Britain?

Wasim, Glasgow, Uk

Prince Faisel, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, is a far better educated and cultured person than the British apology for a foreign secretary. I am sure Prince Faisel would see through this snub and maintain his dignity.

To Dawn from London, don’t forget that the Saudis stripped Osama Bin Laden of his nationality more than ten years ago. They want terrorism to be defeated as much as the British but they have a much more difficult problem in dealing with it in the short term.

Whatever the rights and wrongs, the Saudis are extremely courteous people and I hope the British can be equally courteous to their guests, despite the differences.

Sam Bartlett, Sousse, Tunisia

One could hardly expect a Jewish Foreign Secretary to welcome the leader of a hardline Muslim fundamentalist country.

Charles Wetherby, Tel Aviv, Israel

Unlike Israel, Saudi or most other Middle East states, this country is not defined by a religion. Mr.Miliband is the foreign secretary of a secular state, therefore as a member of an elected government we should not only expect him to do his job but demand that he does it.
This was a chance for Labour to prove that they have a certain amount of class and can rise above the petty snub, something they have never managed to do before. Again though, they fail almost as badly as Tony Blair's Middle East envoy role, where he is spending more time writing his memoirs and giving lucrative lectures in the US than working on helping the Palestinians develop the rule of law.

Nicholas, London,

Well done to the Milibands for their second adoption. It means that the British can't keep claiming it's illegal for other Americans to adopt using their own system any more, as Mr. Miliband is now the Foreign Secretary.
It's irrelevant to me whether he missed a meeting or not. I'm just thrilled to see other adoptions taking place via the US into this country. The UK has so much to learn from the US adoption system.

Maria James, Hove,

Appalling. Such crass behaviour may mean something to the trendy left, but if Milliband has got convictions he should have the courage to articulate them. Milliband has behaved in a cowardly manner; his actions have damaged the interests of the country he is paid to represent. He should resign if he cannot do the job competently - oh I forgot, New Labour never resign. For them, self respect and honour are Victorian values.

TG, Newark,

Appalling behaviour from a Foreign Secretary. This is one of the great offices of State and it beholds and requires a professional approach at all times. It is simply not done to take time off during a State Visit by a foreign Head of State. This merely demonstrates a Labour Polician 'playing' at the role but failing completely to understand the basic requirements of the job. Shameful behaviour, poor judgement and displays great immaturity.

David Grant, Belfast,

Assuming Kim Howells is a woman, rather than at Korean man, could this not be the reason for Mr al-Faisal not meeting her?

Ben, York,

Totally predictable -

Could it be an excuse to damage the reputation, wealth and jobs of the people of England?

Should we perhaps expect this sort of thing from an anti English Labour government?

Marty, London, England

Symptomatic and
Charmless with such
Hairspring
Manners to be
Unable to break
Challah with a
King.

David West, Templecombe, England

Well done Miliband
At least you had the courage of your convictions un like the rest of the 'rear end lickerfs.' This man leads a country that denies basic rites to women, pratcices public executions and other punichments. Denies to foreign citizens the very rights they demand of Muslims in this country.

To see our politicians and royal f amily grovelling before him is an insult to all freedom loving people. But then, as we are so afraid of upsetting Muslims, anythign will go.

Peter Hodge, Skelmersdale, England

Miliband again shows his weakness. Or was it the Saudis who told Brown to keep him away?

Richard, Bath, UK

On the matter of Saudi-British relations -- I say the Saudis are in the dog house as result of not recognizing Israel and even go so far as blackening out the country of Israel with a Magic (Kingdom) Marker on every map or globe sold in the country.

We know that a few details (human rights) are overlooked when one country has all this oil and money, but it's really not the voice of Allah that dictates who Saudis should hate; it's the man in the nightshirt that's calling all the racist plays. Perhaps the foreign minister sees no reason to dignify the Saudi leader...

Terry, Cornwall, Ontario

If any country ISN'T doing enough to combat terrorism, it Saudi Arabia! Lest we forget, the majority of the hijackers on September 11, 2001 were... SAUDI! Perhaps the King should look in the mirror when issuing statements like that.

That sort of idiotic comment aside, the Foreign Secretary should have had more diplomatic sense than this. He should refute the statement and confirm or deny the veracity of the King's assertion of a warning of the events of 7/7. And meet with the man! WE'll never get anywhere if we can't sit in the same room and talk.

Dawn, London, England

This is just another of the discourtesies which the members of this Labour government have carried out during the last ten years.
Our royal visitor perhaps hit the nail on the head a little too firmly perhaps ?

Phil de Buquet, Newport, England

I could understand if it was a new baby born to them but an adoption is something which could be delayed for such an important visit. A little short sighted and an insult.

Paul Davis, York, UK

Whatever King Abdullah said in the interview he is entitled to his views,but it is quite another matter for the rude Foreign Secretary David Miliband to cancel a meeting. I last watched his performance in the commons select committee meeting and his arrogance left me feeling why on earth did this man get the job,he is really most unsuitable and yet another example of the governments lack of talent for major ministerial roles.

margot parker, Kettering, UK

Charles - Tel Aviv - I doubt that the fact he is Jewish would impare the Foreign Secretary....this is not Israel.

Paul S, London, UK

What a bunch of rank amateurs this government are.

D Case, Newquay,

I expect our Elected representatives to meet (with due respect) any Foreign Head of State or Officer who has previously arranged to visit our country.

It is simply a matter of diplomacy and respect, or rather an embarrassing absence thereof in this instance.

Someone who is paid to be a Minister of State should act like one...

Jason Scrutton, London,

Milliband seems to have a knack of upsetting everyone, and his Jewishness can't be the only reason, as Jack Straw seemed to be able to do the job quite competently. Is there a psychological flaw in this chap, as Putin, the Saudis, and the Palestinians don't seem to have much regard for him?

kerry, London,

What a sad day for the UK and what it represents abroad in the international diplomatic field;
Is the Foreign Sec now at the end of Washingtons strings?
What ever became of the attitude of maintaining ones dignity for which the British people and it's representative's are recognised world wide.
More interesting question for the Foreign Sec to answer after he gets off his high horse?
Is His Royal Highness King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud correct?

Noel Dain, Paris, France

Why are you spinning this story as a snub?

Milliband was present at the birth of the child that he and his wife are adopting, as he also was at the birth of his first child. Or is The Times trying to say that the Foreign secretary had the labour induced deliberately?

I for one expect better reporting from The Times, especially as the Saudis seem to have been gracious and followed protocol on this.

Roy Ellor, Salford, UK

Not willing to do the job he is (over)paid for?
Sack him!

Mind you, if he wasn't just another totally immoral member of this Labour government he would have resigned over his matter of conscience!

Mike Bibby, St Albans, England -not Eu

One could hardly expect a Jewish Foreign Secretary to welcome the leader of a hardline Muslim fundamentalist country.

Charles Wetherby, Tel Aviv, Israel

Why would anyone be surprised by this lack of basic courtesy? We already have very senior politiicians displaying their pathetic political correctness by taking huge amounts of time off when their wives perform the perfectly normal human function of having a child. Adding bad manners to their vapidity seems predictable to me. To think we all once thought the Conservatives had run out of steam and ideas and no longer represented the country very well.....

john williams, London,

Let's respect visiting Royalty and extend the courtesy of refering to King Abdullah as His Royal Highness. How sad that our Foreign Secretary lacks the diplomatic skills and manners to do his job properly and represent the best interests of the citizens of this country. Perhaps his resignation would be appropriate.
John

John Church, Camberley, UK

King Abdallah, please

Faruq, Abuja,

“They ask the media to respect their privacy during this time.”

Sure, no problem. The media in the UK especially is world renowned for its restraint and good taste.

Bryan, College Station, TX USA

don't make things worse by referring to the King as "Mr Abdullah"

Al, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands