MP Nick Gibb to stand down at next election

Nick Gibb said the decision had taken "many months of careful thought"

Nick Gibb, the MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, has announced he will not be standing for re-election after holding the seat for 26 years.

As part of Monday's cabinet reshuffle, he will also step down as schools minister.

In his resignation letter, Mr Gibb said he was worried that "growing cynicism and hostility" towards politicians was "damaging our ability to come together to solve problems".

He said he was "honoured" to instead be taking up a diplomatic role.

Mr Gibb said it had been a "privilege" to represent his constituents since 1997.

"Bognor Regis and Littlehampton and the villages in between and beyond are home to hard working, generous spirited people who I admire and have been proud to represent," he said.

The MP was schools minister for a total of 10 years.

Within that time, he was sacked and reappointed twice.

He was a strong advocate of phonics and, in his letter, claimed England's children could "now boast of being some of the most accomplished readers in the world".

Mr Gibb came out as gay in 2015 and married his long term partner.

He said: "No element of my political career would have happened without the love and support of my brilliant, principled and adorable husband and companion of 37 years."

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