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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Conway to step down at election | Conway to step down at election |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| Tory MP Derek Conway, who was reprimanded for overpaying his son parliamentary allowances, has announced he will not fight the next election. | Tory MP Derek Conway, who was reprimanded for overpaying his son parliamentary allowances, has announced he will not fight the next election. |
| The Old Bexley and Sidcup MP had the Tory whip withdrawn on Tuesday after the critical report by the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee. | The Old Bexley and Sidcup MP had the Tory whip withdrawn on Tuesday after the critical report by the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee. |
| It ruled the MP should pay back £13,161 of the money paid to his son. He now faces a 10-day Commons suspension. | It ruled the MP should pay back £13,161 of the money paid to his son. He now faces a 10-day Commons suspension. |
| Mr Conway said: "I have concluded that it's now time to step down." | Mr Conway said: "I have concluded that it's now time to step down." |
| He said he did not wish his "personal circumstances to be a distraction" from David Cameron's leadership. | |
| "I have had tremendous support from my local party, my family and friends, but I have concluded that it is time to step down," he said in a statement. | |
| "Since joining the Conservative Party nearly 40 years ago I have had the privilege of serving in public office since 1974 and have done so to the best of my ability. | |
| "I have advised the chief whip and the chairman of my local Conservative Association that I shall not seek to continue as the Conservative Party candidate for Old Bexley and Sidcup at the next election. | |
| "Though not an original supporter of David Cameron for the leadership of my party, I believe that he has shown he has both the ability and the character to be prime minister of our country. | |
| "I do not wish my personal circumstances to be a distraction in any way from the real issues that have to be addressed." |