Hexham MP to step down

Conservative MP for Hexham Peter Atkinson today revealed that he will be stepping down at the next General Election. - but pledged to continue fighting for his constituents until then.

Mr Atkinson, an MP since 1992, said: "I am going to stand down at the next election simply because I am 65 now and the election may not be for two more years and by that time I will be 67. And if I got elected to the next parliament I would be over 70 and so I think it is right that I make way for new people with new ideas."