Julie Kirkbride to stand down as MP

May 28 2009 by Jonathan Walker

Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride became the latest victim of the expenses scandal today as she announced she was quitting as an MP.

Ms Kirkbride told Conservative party leader David Cameron she will not contest her seat at the next election. Her MP husband Andrew MacKay (Con Bracknell) had already announded his intention to quit last week.

Ms Kirkrbride had fought to keep her job in the face of reports about expenses claims relating to her Bromsgrove home. But she finally gave up the battle and issued a statement saying the expenses controversy was having “a bruising effect on my friends, my family and my health”.

The MP, a former Birmingham Post journalist, had received the backing of Mr Cameron, who insisted her circumstances were different to those of her husband.

However, the Tory leader also ordered her to explain herself to constituents, and she had been due to face voters on the doorstep by canvassing for the local and European elections in her constituency.

In the event, she pulled out of the planned appearance and instead released a statement announcing she was resigning as an MP.

She said: Today I am announcing that I will not seek re-election for my Bromsgrove constituency.

“My principal concern has to be for my very loyal local supporters in Bromsgrove whose trust in me has been very humbling in the last few weeks.

“I also want to see the Conservative Party have a great result in next week’s elections, which will lead to a real change at the general election and you as our prime minister.

“I also must take into account the effects on my family.”

Mr Cameron replied: "Thank you for being so frank and candid about your decision to stand down at the coming election. I know this was a very hard decision for you to take, but I completely understand why you have decided to do so.

"You have been under enormous pressure in the last two weeks. Sometimes the