Labour MP stands down ahead of election

Julie Elliott has been Sunderland Central MP since 2010

A Labour MP who has represented her constituency for 14 years has announced she is standing down at the General Election.

Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott confirmed on Tuesday she would not be seeking re-election in July.

In a statement, Ms Elliott said she had made the decision after "much deliberation" and spending the weekend with her family.

"It has been the privilege of my life to represent the constituency of Sunderland Central since 2010," she said.

"This is the area I have always lived in and while it is with some sadness that I leave the House of Commons, it is the right time to do so."

Ms Elliott served as Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change between 2013 and 2015.

She also sat on a number of committees, including the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.

Ms Elliott thanked her staff, the Labour Party and the GMB Union, adding she was "proud" to have played a part in Sunderland's "cultural and economic regeneration".

She said: “I will do everything I can to campaign for a Labour government in the coming weeks.

“I will always be very grateful to the people of Sunderland and the Labour Party for giving me the opportunity to serve our great city in parliament.”

Prior to becoming an MP, Ms Elliott was a regional organiser for the GMB union and a governor at primary schools across Sunderland and South Tyneside.

The Labour Party is yet to announce a candidate for the Sunderland Central constituency.