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David Miliband to quit as MP David Miliband to step down as MP
(35 minutes later)
David Miliband is to step down as an MP to take up a charity role in New York, it has been reported. David Miliband has stunned the Labour party by deciding to quit British politics to take up a senior position with the International Rescue Committee charity in New York. The former foreign secretary, who had faced private calls to clarify his position within the party, is expected to resign immediately to allow him to take up what the Mirror described as his "dream job".
The former foreign secretary, who was narrowly beaten to the Labour leadership by his brother in 2010, is to announce the move on Wednesday. His decision will trigger a byelection in South Shields, where he has been MP since 2001.
There had been widespread rumours that he was set for a return to the opposition front bench, with his sibling insisting recently that "the door is open". Miliband had indicated that he would continue serving as an MP after losing the Labour leadership to his brother, Ed, in 2010. But he has faced pressure in recent months to make a decision reasonably soon whether he would like to return to the frontbench, on the grounds that it would be wrong for him to saunter into the shadow cabinet shortly before the general election.
But instead he is expected to quit UK politics altogether, triggering a byelection in his South Shields seat. The former foreign secretary, whose wife Louise is an American violinist, has decided instead to embark on a completely different career by working for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) which provides emergency relief to victims of conflict.
More details soon Miliband's successor as foreign secretary, William Hague, visited a displacement camp for victims of rape run by the IRC with Angelina Jolie in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo this week.
The news of Miliband's move was disclosed by the Mirror. But the Guardian understands from a friend of Miliband that he is to move to New York.
David Lammy, the former minister, tweeted: "David Miliband a big loss to PLP. Will miss him. Very loyal friend. The right decision however for him Louise and his two boys. Great new job."
Tim Farron, the president of the Lib Dems, tweeted: "If this story is true, it's a big loss for parliament … David was a big thinker, great politician and a lovely man."