Labour MP Miliband set for Sunderland role

British Labour MP David Miliband, who lost the party's leadership election to his brother Ed last year, is in line to become vice-chairman of Sunderland, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

The former Foreign Secretary stood down from front-line politics after the leadership defeat but remains MP for South Shields, in north-east England.

Sunderland confirmed that they were talking to Miliband regarding "a non-executive role" at the club.

"We're always challenging ourselves to find new ways to grow and develop the club and to make it stronger," chairman Niall Quinn said in a statement.

"We have had talks with David Miliband about a non-executive role at the club but have nothing further to report at the moment."

There has been regular speculation in the British media about what Miliband would do following his decision to step away from the shadow cabinet, but this move is a surprise.

The post would be subject to clearance by a parliamentary committee.