STREATHAM Member of Parliament and shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna has dramatically reversed his decision to run for the Labour Party leadership opting to pull out of the race saying he cannot cope with the pressure of the scrutiny. 

Earlier this week, Mr Umunna, 36, threw his hat into the ring in the fight to succeed Ed Miliband as Labour leader after opinion polls showed him as the leading contender. However, this morning, he dramatically announced his decision to quit the race, saying he was not comfortable with the attention on his private life. 

His remarks immediately triggered speculation that a weekend newspaper is preparing an expose on Mr Umunna and his private life. However, his aides insisted his withdrawal was not due to any negative story which he expects to appear in the media and he has not been subject to any significant hostile coverage in recent days. 

Mr Umunna said: "As a member of the shadow cabinet, I am used to a level of attention which is part and parcel of the job. I witnessed the 2010 leadership election process close up and thought I would be comfortable with what it involved. 

 "However since the night of our defeat last week I have been subject to the added level of pressure that comes with being a leadership candidate but I have not found it to be a comfortable experience. Consequently after further reflection I am withdrawing my candidacy and I apologise to all those who have kindly supported and encouraged me to do this and for disappointing them. 

Last week, Mr Umunna appeared in public with his girlfriend, Alice Sullivan, an employment lawyer for the first time ahead of his appearance on the Andrew Marr Show last Sunday, prompting speculation that he would run. His team were confident that he would secure the 35 nominations from fellow MPs required to mount a leadership bid. 

Following his withdrawal, Mr Umunna is not at this stage endorsing any other candidate for the leadership. His abrupt withdrawal with infuriate MPs who had promised him their support and will deepens the crisis in the Labour Party, following a devastating election defeat a week ago and the withdrawal of another front-runner, former soldier Dan Jarvis. 

Mr Umunna's withdrawal is a significant setback for the Blairite faction in the Labour party who want a return to pro-market, pro-aspiration values of former Prime Minister Tony Blair. With Mr Umunna withdrawing from the race, the contest is now expected to be a straight fight between former cabinet ministers Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper. 

Ben Bradshaw, the Blairite former culture secretary who is preparing to run for deputy leader, urged Mr Umunna to reconsider adding that his withdrawal was a terrible loss. Mr Umunna is a former nightclub DJ, who was supported by Ed Miliband after admitting in 2012 that he smoked soft drugs as a teenager growing up in Brixton. 

Mr Umunna added: "I intend to carry on playing my full role as a proud member of our shadow cabinet taking on the Tories and I also hope to play a leading role in Labour's campaign to keep the UK in the European Union during the forthcoming referendum which is absolutely crucial. Most importantly, I will as ever continue to serve the area I know and love - the Streatham parliamentary constituency."