John Reid to stand down at next general election

Gordon Brown is to lose another potential rival from the Labour back benches after John Reid announced he will quit Westminster at the next general election.

The former home secretary, touted as a possible challenger for the Premiership during Tony Blair's final months in office, informed his Airdrie and Shotts constituency party that he would not be seeking re-election, following 20 years as a Labour MP. The 60-year-old stood down from the Cabinet along with Mr Blair at the end of June, after serving in nine different jobs during a decade as a minister.

Dr Reid told a meeting of his constituency party on Friday night that it was time for him to move on. He said: "I am delighted that the renewal of Labour's fortunes now means that there is a very real prospect of a fourth-term Labour Government. New party leadership at both Westminster and in Scotland has added fresh impetus to that prospect."