It has been revealed that Ed Miliband dodged a simple question 17 times after he was probed about the energy deal with China. The Secretary of Energy Security and Net Zero was fiercely grilled by Tory MP Bradley Thomas during the Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee on Wednesday (February 11). The Labour MP was asked: "But explicitly, do you believe that China poses a security risk to our energy supply?"

Rather than answering directly, Miliband answered: "Of course, there is security risks with China that we've got to be vigilant about." After Thomas questioned: "Specifically with regards to our energy system?" The 56-year-old dodged once again and responded: "That's why we've got to be very cautious about our energy system." As the Tory MP went on to examine the details about the deal, including "commitments not to complain to China," Miliband interrupted him to deflect away from the question.

The former Labour leader chuckled: "Do ask me, Mr Thomas, any questions you like about our relationship to China."

To which he hit back: "This is what I'm doing, so why not publish the text of the deal?" Another question that Miliband once again avoided.

A clip from the energy inquiry was uploaded on social media alongside a counter, revealing the politician dodged the simple question 17 times.

He was then blasted by Tory minister Claire Coutinho, who labelled their interaction an "astonishing exchange." Before asking: "What is he trying to hide?"

After avoiding the line of questioning, the Doncaster North MP eventually relented: "With certain countries, we have certain approaches and with others we have other approaches. So have previous Governments."

In March last year, Miliband went to Beijing and signed a deal which the Chinese media said was an agreement to co-operate in areas such as "power grids, battery storage, offshore wind power, and green hydrogen."

Yet, 11 months later, the UK Government have yet to publish any details about the deal, even though other countries have had theirs published.

This also comes despite warning and concerns that the potential Chinese involvement in energy systems could be used as a front for spying.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer himself had previously warned that Chinese firms could be blocked from involvement in wind farms over security fears.