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Ed Miliband Quit Reports 'All Speculation'

Claims Ed Miliband will rule out a return to frontline politics have been described as "speculation" by sources close to the former Labour leader.

One report said Mr Miliband was expected to say within days that he is planning to turn his attentions to campaigning as a backbench MP on inequality and environmental issues.

The Times reported that Mr Miliband had told friends he needed a break from frontline politics after five years as leader and a gruelling election campaign that saw him lose out to David Cameron and the Conservatives.

If true, the move would dash hopes among supporters of Labour leadership frontrunner Jeremy Corbyn that he might take a senior role in the shadow cabinet, and allay concerns Mr Corbyn would take the party further to the left.

According to The Times, supporters of Mr Corbyn had floated the possibility of Mr Miliband being appointed as shadow foreign secretary.

But a source close to Mr Miliband described the story as "all speculation".