MP quits shadow cabinet job

The MP, who has held the post for six years, said he was stepping down in order to reduce his workload and to devote more time to his constituency work.

'I have spent the majority of my parliamentary life working on the environment portfolio as a front bench spokesman and I feel that the election of a new leader offers a good opportunity for a fresh face to take over. I am hugely committed to this agenda but I recognise that there is a danger of a person becoming too stale if they stay in the same role too long.'

He added: 'I recognise that this decision may surprise some, but it is better to have people ask "why is he going?", rather than "why isn't he going?". I now want to free up time to devote to other political issues which I feel strongly about. I will of course continue to support my party and serve my constituents to the best of my ability.'