Dartford's MP Howard Stoate has announced he is to stand down at the next election.

The Labour backbencher, who has been an MP for 12 years, said his position has recently become untenable.

That was because, he said, it had become apparent that Labour candidates standing for parliament would be expected to forego outside jobs if elected.

That would rule out Howard Stoate continuing to practise as a GP.

He said: "It is clear...from the tenor of recent debates in the Commons and from the position taken by senior figures within the Parliamentary Labour Party with regard to the outside work of MPs that this position is no longer tenable.

"It is apparent that Labour candidates standing for Parliament at the next election will be expected to give up their outside jobs if they are elected."

He said, while he respected this view, he had taken the decision to stand down at the next election.

He added: "It is a decision I take with some sadness, but I feel that I have made a significant contribution to Westminster and to life in Dartford, and I look back on my record with a sense of pride and satisfaction."

During his time in the House Dr Stoate has worked on the House of Commons Health Select Committee, and as a chariman of a number of health-related all-parliamentary groups.