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David Miliband confirms departure as MP David Miliband says move to charity a 'new start'
(35 minutes later)
David Miliband has confirmed he is to leave Parliament to move to New York to work for a charity. Labour leader Ed Miliband says his brother David's decision to quit as an MP and move to a US-based charity leaves UK politics "a poorer place".
"After a great deal of thought I've decided to accept the position of President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee (IRC)," he said. He spoke after David Miliband announced he was to accept the "new challenge and new start" of running the International Rescue Committee in New York.
Mr Miliband, 47, a former foreign secretary, was beaten to the Labour leadership in 2010 by his brother Ed. The former foreign secretary, 47, was beaten by a narrow margin by brother Ed in the 2010 Labour leadership contest.
In a statement, he added that it was "very difficult" for him to leave Parliament and politics. David said it was "very difficult" to leave Parliament and UK politics.
After serving as an MP for 12 years, he said: "I now have to make a choice about how to give full vent to my ideas and ideals." But after serving as an MP for 12 years, he said: "I now have to make a choice about how to give full vent to my ideas and ideals."
The announcement seemingly brings to an end the rumours that he was set for a return to the opposition front bench, which he left when his younger brother Ed pipped him to the Labour leadership in 2010. David Miliband was long seen as a future Labour leader, with supporters of Tony Blair pushing him to stand against Gordon Brown when Mr Blair stepped down as prime minister and Labour leader in 2007.
His decision will spark a by-election in South Shields, where he has been MP since 2001, although the timing of any vote is not yet known. There were also frequent reports that he was set to challenge Mr Brown during the three years he was prime minister before leading Labour to defeat at the 2010 election.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said his close friends and political allies had not been consulted, merely told, as he "must have known they would try to dissuade him". Instead of challenging, he bided his time and entered the post-election Labour leadership contest as overwhelming favourite - only to lose to his younger brother, who gained more union votes but fewer votes from Labour members and Labour MPs.
He said David Miliband "has clearly concluded he does not want to return to the fray, he doesn't want to serve under his brother in opposition or in government which is a serious blow to his brother, and disappointment to members of the party". The bitter disappointment and strained relations led to David Miliband deciding to step down from the Labour front bench to, as he put it in his letter of resignation, "give Ed the space and the same time the support he needed to lead the party without distraction".
Kevin Maguire, associate editor of the Daily Mirror, which first broke the news, said Mr Miliband had been agonising for months over the decision, which he told his brother about "weeks ago". Wednesday's announcement seemingly brings to an end the almost constant rumours that he was set for a return to the opposition front bench.
"He knew he had to decide before the next election whether he was going to play a full role in the Labour Party, going to the front bench or whether he was going to leave, and it was a very difficult position for him," he said. In his statement Ed Miliband said: "Having spoken to him a lot over the past few months, I know how long and hard he thought about this before deciding to take up the offer. I also know how enthusiastic he is about the potential this job provides.
"We went through a difficult leadership contest but time has helped to heal that. I will miss him. But although he is moving to America, I know he will always be there to offer support and advice when I need it."
David Miliband's decision will spark a by-election in South Shields, where he has been MP since 2001, although the timing of any vote is not yet known.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said David Miliband "has clearly concluded he does not want to return to the fray, he doesn't want to serve under his brother in opposition or in government which is a serious blow to his brother, and disappointment to members of the party".
American violinistAmerican violinist
Mr Maguire said it appeared he had acted "out of a touch of love" for his brother. In his letter to his constituency party chairman, David Miliband said the International Rescue Committee was founded in the 1930s at Albert Einstein's suggestion to help people fleeing the Nazis. And his own family history - his parents both fled Germany in the 1930s - meant "I feel that in doing this job I will be repaying a personal debt".
"I think there is no way back for him now, he knows that," he added. "This job brings together my personal story and political life - it represents a new challenge and a new start."
But David Miliband's former cabinet colleagues, Lord Mandelson and Jack Straw, said they did not think it was the end of his political career. The MP, who is vice-chairman and non-executive director of Sunderland Football Club, is married to American violinist Louise Shackelton and the couple have two children.
Tony Blair, former Labour leader and prime minister, said: "I congratulate David on his appointment to a major international position. It shows the huge regard in which David is held worldwide. I'm sure he will do a great job. He is obviously a massive loss to UK politics.
"He was the head of my policy unit and then a truly distinguished minister in the government and remains one of the most capable progressive thinkers and leaders globally. I hope and believe this is time out, not time over."
David Miliband's former cabinet colleagues, Lord Mandelson and Jack Straw, said they did not think it was the end of his political career.
"I think he has a future in politics... I think I know a little bit about comebacks in politics and, to coin a phrase, if I can come back [then] David Miliband can come back - and I think he will," said Lord Mandelson."I think he has a future in politics... I think I know a little bit about comebacks in politics and, to coin a phrase, if I can come back [then] David Miliband can come back - and I think he will," said Lord Mandelson.
Mr Straw said he would be "welcomed back into the Labour movement".Mr Straw said he would be "welcomed back into the Labour movement".
As well as tributes from Labour colleagues, Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps added: "He has contributed a great deal to British politics and we wish him well."As well as tributes from Labour colleagues, Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps added: "He has contributed a great deal to British politics and we wish him well."
David Miliband quit the shadow cabinet after losing the close vote for the party leadership, in which he was clear favourite and lost out because Ed secured trade union votes.
He has remained on the backbenches but fuelled talk of a front-line comeback earlier this year with a vocal Commons attack on the government's benefit changes.
The MP, who is vice-chairman and non-executive director of Sunderland Football Club, is married to American violinist Louise Shackelton and the couple have two children.
He secured a majority of 11,109 in the South Shields constituency at the 2010 general election, winning 52% of the vote.