Lib Dems look for new candidate

Richard Allan has been a Lib Dem MP since 1997

Liberal Democrats in Sheffield have begun the search for a new parliamentary candidate to contest the Hallam seat.

Richard Allan announced in May that he would not be standing at the next general election.

The 37-year-old has represented the Sheffield Hallam constituency since 1997.

The local Liberal Democrat party says there has been wide interest in the post and 12 candidates have been selected.

Interviews are taking place on 19, 20, 26 and 27 July and a shortlist will be drawn up before the final announcement on 5 September.

New career

Mr Allan was one of the younger members of the large intake of new Liberal Democrat MPs in 1997.

He took the Hallam seat from the Conservatives with a majority of more than 9,000.

Prior to his stint in parliament Mr Allan was an archaeologist, before becoming an information technology manager.

He put his IT skills to good use when he was appointed chairman of the Commons information select committee, which oversees technology provision for the House of Commons.

Mr Allan, who is a patron to, or member of, a wide range of environmental and civil liberties groups, decided to step down for personal reasons.