This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-15272631
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Conservative MEP Roger Helmer to stand down | Conservative MEP Roger Helmer to stand down |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Conservative MEP Roger Helmer has said he is quitting his seat in the European Parliament because he is unhappy with the direction of his party. | Conservative MEP Roger Helmer has said he is quitting his seat in the European Parliament because he is unhappy with the direction of his party. |
| Mr Helmer, who represents the east Midlands, will stand down later this year - half way through his term. | Mr Helmer, who represents the east Midlands, will stand down later this year - half way through his term. |
| The MEP has attacked Conservative policy on Europe and called for a referendum on UK membership of the EU. | The MEP has attacked Conservative policy on Europe and called for a referendum on UK membership of the EU. |
| Mr Helmer, first elected in 1999, has made a number of outspoken comments on social issues in recent years. | Mr Helmer, first elected in 1999, has made a number of outspoken comments on social issues in recent years. |
| Mr Helmer announced his intention to stand down on Wednesday in a letter to the chairman of his regional party. | |
| The MEP has clashed with the party leadership on a number of issues and earlier this summer urged Prime Minister David Cameron to call a referendum on the UK's future in Europe. | |
| Conservative sources in Brussels said Mr Helmer's move was not a great surprise. | |
| Under the party's constitution, Mr Helmer's seat will be offered to Rupert Matthews, the candidate who was next on the Conservative Party list for the east Midlands at the 2009 election. |