David Miliband quits as MP to run charity in US

The former foreign secretary, who was narrowly beaten to the Labour leadership by his brother in 2010, today confirmed his decision to stand down as an MP with immediate effect. He will take a senior role at the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

In a statement to his constituency party, David Miliband said: “After the leadership election, I felt I could be most helpful to the party on the front line, in South Shields and around the country, rather than on the front bench in Parliament.

“I will forever be Labour. But after writing two election manifestoes in 1997 and 2001, and serving as a minister for eight years, I now have to make a choice about how to give full vent to my ideas and ideals.

“I hope you will understand that the opportunity to lead the IRC represents a unique chance to put my experience into practice on behalf of some of the least fortunate people on Earth.”

Brother “delighted” at IRC role

There have been widespread rumours that the 47-year-old was set for a return to the opposition front-bench, with his sibling Ed insisting recently that “the door is open”.

But instead he has left UK politics altogether to take the role at the disaster-relief charity headquartered in New York, which carries out operations in warn-torn nations. The move triggers a by-election in his South Shields seat in May.

Ed Miliband said that he was “delighted” at his brother’s appointment.

The Labour leader said: “David is taking an important job running the IRC, a global organisation with stature and reach. I am delighted for him that he has been given this opportunity.

“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.

“British politics will be a poorer place without David. But his huge talents will be serving people around the world.”

At present, IRC has personnel on the ground in Iraq and is one of the largest providers of humanitarian assistance in the Congo. According to reports, he will take on the post of chief executive officer, replacing Dr George Rupp.

MPs pay tribute

Labour MPs last night expressed sadness at the loss of such a significant figure.

“David will be brilliant over the water as he always is,” John Woodcock, MP for Barrow and Furness, wrote on Twitter.

Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield, said it was “a big loss to British and Labour politics”.

Despite being early favourite for the September 2010 leadership challenge, Mr Miliband got 49 per cent of the votes against his brother’s 51 per cent.

He was backed by the majority of MPs and party members, but lost when the unions swung their support behind Ed.

Since the defeat he has kept a relatively low profile politically, but has made a number of appearances on current affairs programmes.

He fuelled talk of a frontline comeback earlier this year with a vocal Commons attack on the UK government’s benefit changes. Much of his time in recent months is understood to have been spent on his lucrative directorships and speaking roles.

He has worked with VantagePoint Capital Partners, a Californian group with investments in the information technology and healthcare sectors, Oxford Analytica, a UK advisory company and Indus Basin Holdings, a Pakistani agrochemical group.

Despite supporting Arsenal, Mr Miliband is also vice-chairman and a non-executive director of Sunderland Football Club. On the lecture circuit he is reported to command a fee of up to £20,000.

His earnings since leaving government total £985,315, including travel and accommodation for himself and his staff, according to the most recently published House of Commons register. Mr Miliband, who is married to American violinist Louise Shackelton and has two children, was a key adviser to Tony Blair before entering parliament in June 2001.