Half of Britons believe the country should only trade with those that have a good record on human rights - even if it hurts the economy.

The opinion comes in response to a survey of 17,000 people in 24 countries that also showed the US is seen as one of the countries most likely to use its power for bad purposes.

Globally more than a third (36%) of people said their country should only trade with nations with a good human rights record but 33% said their country should instead trade freely regardless of human rights concerns.

Britons and Swedes were most likely to say a country's human rights record should be taken into account before trading is agreed.

Addressing the figures during the annual Fulbright lecture in Edinburgh, former foreign secretary David Miliband said: "The poll shows that around the world large numbers of people are looking for commitment to human rights and global engagement.


"However, it should be shocking that the US should be perceived to have descended to the level of Russia as a global spoiler."

He added: "Britain is in Brexit baulk - neither positive nor negative, more likely to be ignored."

The US ranked one of the worst for using its influence for bad purposes, with 22% agreeing that this is the case.

Other badly-ranked countries were Russia and Saudi Arabia both on 25% and Israel on 24%.

One in 10 respondents said Britain uses its influence mostly to bad ends, while 27% believe it mostly uses it for good.

Countries seen as most likely to use their influence for good were Germany (32%) and Canada (37%).

The UN got a positive report from 35% of respondents.

But the poll also found that just 38% of people around the world believed their country should always follow international laws on human rights.

Just over half of the respondents agreed that if a country commits war crimes, other countries should intervene to stop it - even if that infringes on sovereignty - but only four in 10 were as keen on such global policing if it meant their own country should act.