Fury as UK 'nominates Iran' to key UN committee overseeing counterterrorism - after Ed Miliband's handshake with Tehran minister

Published: 06:23 EST, 12 November 2026 | Updated: 06:24 EST, 12 November 2026 Iran's election to a United Nations committee overseeing work on women's rights and counterterrorism has sparked a furious row.In a secret ballot on Wednesday, the UN General Assembly voted for Iran to join the Committee for Programme and Coordination.The UK had previously been among a slew of countries to rubber-stamp Iran as a candidate for one of the available slots.But other Western allies, such as the US, Canada and Australia, have voiced fierce opposition to Iran's inclusion.They pointed to Tehran's 'human rights violations' against its own people and 'destabilising conduct' across the Middle East.Senior Tory MP Alicia Kearns, a shadow foreign minister, expressed her astonishment at Iran joining the committee.She also noted how Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband recently shook hands with his Iranian counterpart on the sidelines of a UN gathering in New York in September.'The UK *nominated* Iran to join this committee. Why @Ed_Miliband? Is this what you shook hands over?,' Ms Kearns wrote on X. In September, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband was accused of handing a 'propaganda win' to Iran by shaking hands with Tehran's foreign affairs minister Abbas AraghchiThe Committee for Programme and Coordination - made up of 34 member states elected for three-year terms - reviews UN programmes and assesses their implementation.It has influence over the UN's work on human rights, women's rights and counterterrorism.In response to Wednesday's UN General Assembly ballot, Australia's foreign affairs minister Penny Wong said: 'Australia strongly opposes and voted against Iran's appointment to the UN Committee for Programme and Coordination.'Iran's human rights violations and destabilising conduct undermine multilateralism. Australia stands with the people of Iran.'Anita Anand, Canada's foreign affairs minister, said: 'Canada is steadfastly opposed to giving Iran a seat on the UN Committee for Programme and Coordination — and Canada voted against Iran's inclusion today at the UN.'The committee should be comprised of countries entrusted with shaping the work of the United Nations and must uphold the principles of its Charter.'The Iranian regime silences dissent at home and fuels instability across the Middle East. We stand with the people of Iran.'The UK Government has previously defended itself over its role in Iran being put forward to join the committee.Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told MPs in April that Iran's nomination was an 'automaticity', adding: 'We did not have an option to block that appointment.'Chris Elmore, another Foreign Office minister, also said in reply to a written parliamentary question that critics were 'misinformed' when stating the UK had supported Iran's nomination.'The Asia-Pacific Group of states agreed within their group to put forward Iran, India, Japan and Pakistan as candidates for the four available regional seats on the committee in question,' he said.'As per normal practice, those regional nominations went forward without a vote, with no expression of support from the UK.'In September, Mr Miliband was accused of handing a 'propaganda win' to Iran by shaking hands with Tehran's foreign affairs minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.The Foreign Office said Mr Miliband had used the meeting to push for a resolution to the Middle East conflict and to tell Mr Araghchi that Britain would 'not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on UK soil' following a spate of anti-Semitic attacks linked to Iran.The Government also defended 'keeping diplomatic channels open' with Iran 'as a way to raise our concerns regarding their behaviour'.The Foreign Office has been approached for comment on Wednesday's vote.