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Newsnight's Allegra Stratton looks back at David Miliband's political career.
David Miliband has confirmed he is to leave Parliament to move to New York to work for a charity.
"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.
Mr Miliband, 47, a former foreign secretary, was beaten to the Labour leadership in 2010 by his brother Ed.
In a statement, he added that it was "very difficult" for him to leave Parliament and politics.
Analysis
So does David Miliband's departure strengthen or weaken his brother ?
His friends insist his departure deprives Labour of a figure who would have brought experience and authority to Labour's front bench.
It's argued he would have enabled Labour to better reach out beyond its core vote and to attract those elusive southern voters.
He may also have helped re-fashion Labour's stance on the economy and so regained the party more credibility on the economy.
And yet there were also clear dangers.
A return to the shadow cabinet could have just prompted endless sibling psychodrama stories.
The Labour leader's supporters could reasonably argue their man isn't doing so bad without the help of his brother.
And while in the Westminster village the pros and cons of the most senior remaining Blairite's departure will be much mulled over, outside, life goes on.
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.
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.
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".
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".
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".
"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.
American violinistMr Maguire said it appeared he had acted "out of a touch of love" for his brother.
"I think there is no way back for him now, he knows that," he added.
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.
David Miliband
- Studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University
- From 1994 to 1997 was head of policy for Tony Blair, and from 1997 to 2001 was head of his policy unit in Downing Street
- In June 2002 was appointed Schools Minister
- Various ministerial appointments followed, and in June 2007 became foreign secretary
- Married to Louise, a violinist, they have two sons - Isaac and Jacob
"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".
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.
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