LABOUR’S Blairite business spokesman Chuka Umunna made a shock exit from the race to become party leader yesterday, citing “concerns and worry about this bid’s impact on those close to me.”

Polished Mr Umunna had been the bookies’ favourite to replace Ed Miliband and become Labour’s first black leader.

But his withdrawal from the contest saw shadow health secretary Andy Burnham installed as 6/5 favourite, ahead of Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall.

Speculation that his announcement would be followed by a damaging newspaper story this weekend was denied by senior Labour sources.

His concerns are instead believed to be linked to the door stepping of his elderly mother by a Daily Mail reporter.

In a statement, he said: “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.

“I have not found it to be a comfortable experience.

“One can imagine what running for leader can be like, understand its demands and the attention but nothing compares to actually doing it and the impact on the rest of one’s life.

“Consequently after further reflection I am withdrawing my candidacy.”

The remaining candidates, who also include Mary Creagh and Tristram Hunt, will go head-to-head over Labour’s future for the first time today.

The five hopefuls will debate “How does Labour win back Britain?” at the Progress annual conference at the TUC’s Congress House in London.

The panel debate will effectively double as the first hustings of the contest.

A hustings event for MPs will take place on June 8 before public hustings take place across Britain from June 17.