David Miliband today claimed that he refused to join a rebellion against Gordon Brown because his resignation as foreign secretary would have "damaged the country".
The Labour leadership frontrunner, who was this week accused by Lord Mandelson of considering a challenge to Mr Brown, said he remained loyal in the interests of the party and the nation.
Asked on BBC's Radio 4 Today whether he regretted not stepping down at the same time as James Purnell last year, he said: "I could've resigned with him and then we would have had two people out of the Cabinet.
"That would've meant more damage to the Government, more damage to the party and, since we would have lost the foreign secretary, more damage to the country as well."
Mr Miliband, who is being challenged by his brother Ed and Ed Balls for the Labour leadership, has been accused of "serial dithering" over running against Mr Brown.
Lord Mandelson's memoirs revealed that in 2008 — the height of speculation of a challenge — Mr Miliband sent him a text suggesting he would go for the top job: "Large mountain ahead. Orienteering/planning/climbing skills much needed".
In the end, no one else in the Cabinet would follow him.
