Clarke: I won't challenge Brown

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Mr Clarke said he would have had the support to secure a nomination to run for leader, but stated there was "no appetite for that kind of contest" in the Labour Party.

Mr Clarke went on to say he would like to serve in Mr Brown's Cabinet.

He told the Times: "I'm not going to run in the leadership election. I was ready to run. I was considering running. I think I would have had the support to be nominated and be able to run.

"There's the issue of the possibility of a division, possibly bitter division, around personalities and so on which would be very damaging.

"There isn't an appetite for that kind of contest in the party at the moment."

Asked if he would like to serve in a Brown Cabinet he said: "Yes is the answer to that question. I've enjoyed being in government. . . If it would be useful for me to serve I would like to do that."

In February, Mr Clarke and former health secretary Alan Milburn launched a website, The 2020 Vision, to debate future policies with both the party and the public.

It was seen by many Westminster commentators as a move to provoke a heavyweight leadership challenger to Mr Brown.

Mr Clarke's announcement comes in the week the Prime Minister said that "in all probability" Mr Brown will succeed him as Prime Minister.