Tristram Hunt drops out of the Labour leadership race
He confirmed on Wednesday that he "will not be entering the race".
Hunt offered his support to fellow MP Liz Kendall to be the next party leader.
He said: "I am offering my endorsement to my colleague, Liz Kendall."
Both Kendall and Hunt were elected to the House of Commons for the first time in 2010 and were considered the two stand-out candidates of the new batch of Labour MPs following the withdrawal of shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna from the race.
Other candidates who have thrown their names into the ring include Andy Burham, Yvette Cooper and Mary Creagh.
Nominations for Labour leader will close on June 15 and the ballot will close on 10 September before the new leader will be announced two days later.
This story is being updated. Click here to refresh.