The 'nearly man' of British politics steps off stage
David Miliband was nearly Prime Minister, and nearly Labour party leader, but his brother's rise has led him to take a back seat.
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Ed Miliband: 'David will be serving the world in new role'
Ed Miliband has said the "door was open" for his brother David to return to front line politics but he has taken the decision to take on a new role based in New York. The Labour leader said his brother will be "serving the world" with his new charity position:
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Ed: 'British politics will be a poorer place without David'
Labour Leader Ed Miliband has said he is "delighted" for his brother David, who has announced he will be stepping down as MP to take a new role at a charity based in New York.
In a statement he 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...
"As for us, 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.
"British politics will be a poorer place without David. But his huge talents will be serving people around the world. I hope and believe that at some point in the future he can once again make a contribution to British public life."
David Miliband: 'I gave my brother space to lead'
David Miliband has published his letter of resignation on his website. In it he says that following the leadership election - in which he lost out to brother Ed - he said he took a role on the "frontline" in order to give his brother space and the ability to lead "without distraction".
He said: "As you know, I see every day the damage this shocking government is doing to our country, and passionately want to see Labour back in power.
"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 felt this gave Ed the space and at the same time the support he needed to lead the party without distraction. He has done so with real success, leading a united team that has taken the fight to the Tories.
"I am very pleased and proud that our shared goal of making this a one-term government is achievable."
Breaking: David Miliband 'to quit' as MP, reports claim
The brother of Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband is to step down as an MP to take up a charity role in New York, it was reported tonight. The former foreign secretary, David Miliband, who went to school in Leeds will announce the move tomorrow, the Daily Mirror said.
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". But instead he is expected to quit UK politics altogether, triggering a by-election in his South Shields seat.
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The Prime Minister said the number of British nationals caught up in the hostage crisis in Algeria had been "significantly reduced".
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Miliband on death of Sir Stuart Bell
Labour leader Ed Miliband MP has responded to the death of Sir Stuart Bell MP. He said:
"Sir Stuart's death will come as a huge blow to his family and many friends and colleagues.
"He spent the long years of opposition fighting for the Labour Party to regain power and championed, throughout his life, the many causes that were close to his heart.
"He resigned from the opposition front bench to pursue his calls for justice for the children and families of the Cleveland child abuse scandal.
– Ed Miliband MP, Labour Party Leader"He served the House of Commons and the Church of England as the Church Commissioner, a position he held for thirteen years and was a passionate campaigner on European issues.
"The son of a North East miner Stuart was fiercely proud to represent Middlesbrough.
"Stuart was a dedicated family man and had a formidable partnership with his wife Margaret. All our thoughts are with her and his two children."
FULL SPEECH: Ed Miliband in Durham
See Ed Miliband's full speech at the Durham Miners' Gala.
Miliband to address Miner's Gala
Ed Miliband is due to become the first Labour leader to address the Durham Miners' Gala in more than 20 years.
Dave Hopper, general secretary of the Durham Miners' Association, said he hoped people would welcome him, after his predecessors John Smith, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown refused to visit.
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