Former British deputy prime minister John Prescott today said he would step down as an MP at the next election.
Mr Prescott (69), who informed constituency members over the weekend, said it had been a "huge privilege" to be MP for Hull East for the past 37 years.
Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott entering 10 Dowing Street. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA Wire
He had previously dismissed rumours that he would be standing down as "press prattle".
Having recently been appointed head of the Parliamentary delegation to the Council of Europe, he is not expected to retire from public life.
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Analysts believe he will enter the House of Lords soon after leaving the Commons.
He has also struck a reported £300,000 (€440,000) deal to write his memoirs.