Labour MP John Spellar stands down before election

John Spellar was first elected as an MP in a 1982 by-election

Labour MP John Spellar has announced he does not intend to stand in the general election.

The former transport, defence and Northern Ireland minister said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it had been an honour to have worked for people in Smethwick and Oldbury for more than 30 years.

The member for Warley was first elected in a 1982 by-election in Birmingham Northfield and had been an MP continuously since 1992.

He was also a transport, local government and regions minister and was shadow foreign and commonwealth affairs minister from 2010 to 2015.

In the post on Monday, Mr Spellar said he had informed the Labour Party he did not intend to contest the election.

"It has been an honour and pleasure to have worked for the great people of Smethwick & Oldbury for over 30 years, and also as a [government] minister," he added.

Long-serving Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove and Tory junior health minister Andrea Leadsom were also among those who have said they would step down as an MP. At least 119 MPs have made this move.