by political editor Paul Francis

The Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt is to stand down at the next election, citing personal reasons.

The MP's shock announcement that he is to quit politics comes less than a year before the probable date of a general election.

The announcement has left party activists reeling. One said the news had come out of the blue and that Mr Wyatt had not given any indication he was prepararing to stand down. "Yes, it is a shock but the job has taken its toll on his personal life."

Mr Wyatt - who has the smallest majority of any Kent Labour-held seat at 79 - said in a statement: "I have had a ball as the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey since 1997 and have done my very best for them in Parliament helping to raise over £300million for the constituency.

He added: "I think it is important that backbenchers have outside interests. I have undertaken a variety of Fellowships with the Industry and Parliamentary trust including Motorola, the FT City programme, China, India and the Arts.

"I have helped the British Council through the UKIERI programme by being their lead person on IT linking UK and Indian universities. And in my spare time I have floated a company on Aim and completed by fifth book."

Mr Wyatt was among the eight Labour MP selected on the back of the Labour landslide in 1997.

The MP was revealed recently to be the Kent MP with the highest claim for allowances and according to the Daily Telegraph, had put in supermarket till receipts to back up a £81.39 claim for food that included 75p on two scotch eggs and £1.79 on five mini pork pies.

He could not be contacted for further comment.