Chuka Umunna tries to give backing to Ed Miliband, accidentally gives support to 'Dave'

Gaff came during an interview as he attempted to convince viewers Labour party members were behind struggling Labour leader

Chuka Umunna said although there had been voices of discontent about Ed Miliband's leadership they accounted for a “small minority” (AFP)

Chuka Umunna has mistakenly backed “Dave” Miliband for Number 10 shortly after voicing support for Ed Miliband.

In an interview with Sky News earlier this morning, Mr Umunna, attempting to dismiss fears surrounding Mr Miliband’s popularity, botched his lines after he said it was important “we get Dave, er Ed Milband, into Number 10”.

The gaff comes as the latest polls showed the Labour leader's popularity within the party continues to tumble.

Over the weekend senior Labour figures allegedly claimed that dissatisfaction had reached “critical mass” and that at least 20 twenty senior shadow ministers would break cover and call for Mr Miliband’s resignation were another candidate to put himself forward.

"We are a serious prospect for government after going down to our second worst defeat in history in 2010."

He went on: "If you look at the qualities that people attribute to Ed - a man of honesty, sincerity, deep beliefs - I don't believe that those are attributes that most people give to politicians but they certainly give it to our leader.

"That is because we are focusing on the issues that actually matter to people.

"We are not engaged in a game of political top trumps here. We are talking about people's lives."

Additional reporting by Press Association