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Tory MP to stand down at election Tory MP to stand down at election
(9 minutes later)
Conservative MP Andrew MacKay has announced he is to step down as an MP at the next general election.Conservative MP Andrew MacKay has announced he is to step down as an MP at the next general election.
It comes after the MP for Bracknell, Berkshire, had a conversation with the Conservative leader, David Cameron.It comes after the MP for Bracknell, Berkshire, had a conversation with the Conservative leader, David Cameron.
Mr MacKay had already resigned as Mr Cameron's aide because he and wife Julie Kirkbride, MP for Bromsgrove, both claimed second home allowances.Mr MacKay had already resigned as Mr Cameron's aide because he and wife Julie Kirkbride, MP for Bromsgrove, both claimed second home allowances.
He was heckled at a packed meeting on Friday as he tried to explain his expenses to constituents. He said he did not want to become "a distraction" to voters as Mr Cameron sought to become prime minister.
In the meeting, which was open to all constituents, one man accused him of failing to accept responsibility for his actions and another said he would no longer vote Conservative. In a statement, Mr MacKay said: "Following a conversation with David Cameron this morning I have decided to step down as candidate for Bracknell at the next general election.
"I believe I could be a distraction at a time when he is working to get elected as prime minister with the good working majority necessary to take the tough decisions to turn this country around.
I hope my decision to step down goes some way to showing my constituents how sorry I am about my own situation Andrew MacKay
"I would never forgive myself if my candidature distracted voters from the key issues and particularly David's rousing call for change.
"It has been both a privilege and huge fun to represent the people of Bracknell for 26 years.
"I understand why people are angry. I hope my decision to step down goes some way to showing my constituents how sorry I am about my own situation."
He insisted his decision was not the result of a public meeting on Friday, during which he was heckled by angry constituents.
In the meeting, open to all constituents, one man accused him of failing to accept responsibility for his actions and another said he would no longer vote Conservative.
But one woman said he had shown courage to face his constituents.But one woman said he had shown courage to face his constituents.
Afterwards, Mr MacKay told reporters he would still stand for reselection, saying he had the backing of most of those at the meeting.Afterwards, Mr MacKay told reporters he would still stand for reselection, saying he had the backing of most of those at the meeting.
But one onlooker, who attended the meeting, accused him of misrepresenting the mood of the meeting and said he was, in fact, "overwhelmingly opposed".But one onlooker, who attended the meeting, accused him of misrepresenting the mood of the meeting and said he was, in fact, "overwhelmingly opposed".