Keir Starmer to stand down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras

The former prime minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as MP for Holborn and St Pancras, months after leaving No 10.

As reported by the Camden New Journal newspaper, he announced his resignation, stating that it had been “a huge honour and privilege” to represent and serve the constituency for 11 years but now he wanted to shift his focus to international affairs.

“I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world.

“I will also continue, as I have done for a long time now with others, work on combating violence against women and girls. That is an issue that matters to me hugely. It’s work I started before I became an MP and it’s work I’m keen to continue after I’m an MP. So international affairs on the one hand and continuing my work on violence against women and girls on the other,” he added.

Earlier, Keir Starmer resigned as PM in the summer and was succeeded by Andy Burnham.

Sir Keir Starmer has reversed his earlier commitment to remain in Parliament until the next general election, announcing in a statement on Tuesday that he will step down as an MP immediately following weeks of speculation about his future.