David Miliband (pictured) was allocated $600,000 [£425,000] per year by International Rescue

When Ali G star Sacha Baron Cohen and his actress wife Isla Fisher donated $500,000 to the International Rescue Committee this week, they wanted to help desperate refugees fleeing conflict in Syria.

But what the generous couple may not have known is that their donation will not even have been enough to pay the salary of the American charity’s boss, David Miliband.

I can disclose that the Blairite former Foreign Secretary, was allocated a staggering $600,000 [£425,000] per year by International Rescue.

It dwarfs the $413,000 paid to his predecessor, George Rupp, and is almost three times the £142,500 paid to our Prime Minister.

Miliband’s pay has been declared publicly for the first time at the Charities Bureau in New York, where International Rescue is based.

It says he works 37½ hours a week, but the charity could not be reached for further comment.

If he were still Foreign Secretary, he would be paid a relatively lowly £134,565.

The charity cash is not Miliband’s only income, however, as he is thought to have rented out his £3 million home in London’s Primrose Hill since moving to New York in 2013 with his wife, American violinist Louise Shackelton, and their two adopted children.

The couple could expect to receive £6,750 a month, or £81,000 a year, in rental.

David inherited the four-bedroom Georgian property from his father, Marxist historian Ralph Miliband, in 1994.

David and his brother, former Labour leader Ed, used a deed of variation to their father’s will that moved a share of the ownership of the family home into their names.

Such deeds are often used to avoid inheritance tax. Ed later sold his share of the property to David.

Refugee crisis: International Rescue is supported by hefty donations from Miliband’s old pal George Soros. Above, refugees call the attention of rescuers as they approach the Greek island of Lesbos on a dinghy

Couple: The charity cash is not Miliband’s only income as he is thought to have rented out his £3 million home in London’s Primrose Hill since moving to New York in 2013 with his wife, Louise Shackelton (both pictured)

International Rescue is supported by hefty donations from Miliband’s old pal George Soros, the financier who ‘broke’ the Bank of England on Black Wednesday in 1992 when his speculation on the pound was blamed for forcing the Government to pull out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.

It is said that Soros would welcome Miliband’s return to British politics. But could David afford the dramatic drop in income?

Christine takes Lampard's daughters on honeymoon

Twinkly TV presenter Christine Bleakley is clearly an exemplary stepmother — she and former England footballer Frank Lampard have taken his daughters by his ex-fiancee, Spanish model Elen Rivas, with them on honeymoon.

It’s good of Elen to allow Luna, ten, and Isla, eight, to spend Christmas with the couple in Dubai.

After all, three years ago the model, 40, accused Lampard online of ‘trying to stop his children speaking to their mother at Christmas’.

Exemplary stepmother: Christine Bleakley and former England footballer Frank Lampard on their honeymoon

Christine, 36, replied: ‘I’d happily put the record straight, but don’t think Twitter is a place to do it when children are involved.’

He survived the fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini over his ‘blasphemous’ novel The Satanic Verses, but Sir Salman Rushdie can no longer put up with the morons’ forum that is Twitter.

The Booker Prize-winning author has told his 1.3 million followers on the micro-blogging website that he is quitting for ‘quite a while’.

He earlier described the site as ‘essentially frivolous’ and said it created ‘noises in your head that you don’t need’.

His fellow novelist Jonathan Franzen will be pleased.

He once expressed ‘disappointment’ that Rushdie had ‘succumbed’ to Twitter.

Starring in the forthcoming Dad’s Army film seems to have been a battle for Alison Steadman.

The 69-year-old, who plays Corporal Jones’s wife, says she didn’t enjoy handling a rifle after her hearing was affected by a gun being fired near her when she was younger.

‘My left ear was damaged when rehearsing a play,’ she says. ‘The stage manager fired a gun right by my ear in a tiny enclosed space. So I am wary now. Guns are horrible things.’

No need for a New Year detox, Rosie!

While most of us regret eating one mince pie too many, Britain’s most body-beautiful couple have no such concerns.

In a bandeau bikini, Marks & Spencer model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 28, showed she hadn’t over-indulged at Christmas as she enjoyed a beach stroll and swim in Thailand with Hollywood action man Jason Statham, 48.

Beach stroll: In a bandeau bikini, Marks & Spencer model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 28, showed she hadn’t over-indulged at Christmas as she enjoyed a beach stroll and swim in Thailand with Jason Statham, 48

Taking a dip: Devon-born Rosie lives in California with Hollywood action man Jason (both pictured swimming)

Devon-born Rosie lives in California with Jason and domestic bliss is upset only by disputes over who puts out the rubbish.

‘I get told off for saying: “It’s a man’s job!” ’ she said.

‘And he goes: “Well then, ironing’s a woman’s job.” ’

Accused of racism over his 30-year-old comments about aid for black entrepreneurs, Oliver Letwin has a chance to make amends.

His first public event in the New Year is the keynote speech to Bright Blue, a think tank for ‘liberal conservatism’, at London’s Guildhall. The title of his talk? Opportunity For All.

Naomi in wheelchair

Years of sashaying down catwalks appear to have taken their toll on Naomi Campbell.

The 45-year-old was spotted in a wheelchair and using a cane at an airport in Brazil this week.

She is said to have jumped up as soon as she noticed she was being photographed.

Spotted in a wheelchair: Naomi Campbell, 45, was seen in a wheelchair and using a cane at an airport in Brazil this week (left). She is said to have jumped up as soon as she noticed she was being photographed (right)

The fiery supermodel was spotted hobbling with a cane earlier this month at a premiere where she reportedly told fellow cinema-goers she might need a hip replacement.

However, her spokesman said it was ‘a light foot injury’, insisting: ‘There is no scheduled surgery.’

Cherri's kitchen horror

As one of the Marquess of Bath’s 75 ‘wifelets’, Cherri Gilham was used to issues over bedrooms, but it’s the kitchen that’s caused her trouble this Christmas.

Cherri, who turns 61 today, was making lunch when her electric soup maker exploded, leaving her with serious burns. ‘I’m in agony,’ cries the former Benny Hill star.

Christmas kitchen trouble: Cherri Gilham (pictured), who turns 61 today, was making lunch when her electric soup maker exploded, leaving her with serious burns. ‘I’m in agony,’ cries the former Benny Hill star

‘I feel as though I’ve been stabbed on my torso and arms where the blisters from scalding are.

‘I had to cancel tonight’s outing because my dressings must not be touched.

‘Fourteen days of dressings... no washing.’

Kim Cattrall played man-eater Samantha Jones in Sex And The City, but in reality love scares her.

The actress, who is single at 59, says: ‘We’re all frightened because we don’t know what’s ahead of us. I don’t have answers, I only have questions.

‘Even telling someone you love them is a vulnerable place because they might say: Thanks, but I don’t feel the same!” ’

Don't outdo the bride, Lady Kitty

Beguiling, blonde and born to moneybags Earl Spencer, Lady Kitty’s cup runneth over.

So it’s a brave woman who’d pick Princess Diana’s 25-year-old niece to stand beside her on her wedding day.

Lily Kuiper (right) has appointed Lady Kitty (left) bridesmaid when she ties the knot in South Africa this week

Happily, Lily Kuiper had no such reservations and has appointed Lady Kitty bridesmaid when she ties the knot in South Africa this week — despite Kitty turning up at a pre-wedding picnic in a low-cut white dress that ensured all eyes were on her.