Chuka Umunna: "I've Nothing To Hide"

28 May 2015, 17:00 | Updated: 24 August 2016, 16:07

Chuka Umunna has insisted to LBC that he's got no "skeletons" to hide and dropped out of the Labour leadership race for his family.

Umunna faced tough questioning from Iain Dale and Tessa Jowell during the Newsmakers hour, with Iain asking if Chuka had "wimped out" of the race.

"There was no scandal. I have absolutely nothing to hide. You don't put yourself forward to be leader of the party if you do.

"It wasn't all the rumours. It was the impact it was having on people close to me.

"Too often in my life I've actually put the job first and I thought, in my heart of hearts, I couldn't live with myself if I didn't put my loved ones first. Yes, people might say you're flakey, you're indecisive etc, but ultimately I'm happy to withstand any criticism."

Asked by Iain if he had let people down by dropping out of the contest, Umunna said the reaction of the public had been "remarkable." He said that while some told him they had been disappointed, they also "respect" the decision he made.

Chuka also said nobody had accused him of "wimping out" of the race, and that a "strong family of people around you who you love make you a stronger politician."