Sir Keir Starmer to stand down as a Member of Parliament

Britain's former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will stand down, as a Member of Parliament (MP).

In a statement, Mr Starmer said his job had been a "huge honour and privilege", but he would now turn his focus to "international affairs".

Sir Keir resigned as prime minister earlier this summer, with Andy Burnham replacing him.

Today's announcement means there will be a by-election in Starmer's London seat of Holborn and St Pancras, in order to find a new MP for the area.

In June, Sir Keir announced that he was stepping down as UK prime minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Mr Starmer has been leader of the Labour Party for the past six years, and prime minister since July 2024.

After the announcement was made, Andy Burnham entered the race to replace him and won the Labour leadership contest.

This meant he became both the new leader of the Labour Party and the UK's prime minister.

Now Mr Starmer has said he will also leave his role as a Member of Parliament.

In a statement, he said he was ready to "pass the baton to a successor".

Mr Starmer added: "I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world."

A date for the by-election cannot be set until Sir Keir officially gives up his seat in Parliament.