The former BBC foreign correspondent was elected to represent the former Tory stronghold of Tatton in the 1997 general election.

He defeated the disgraced cash-for-questions MP Neil Hamilton after campaigning on an anti-sleaze ticket.

'I made a promise'

At the time, Mr Bell said he would serve one term only as MP for the Cheshire seat.

Martin Bell: "The point is I made a promise"

But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he had tried to find a way to get to stand again without betraying his original promise.

He said: "I've examined this conundrum from all possible angles and I can't see an honourable way to break a promise.

Martin Bell: "I'm having a ball"

"The point is that I made a promise ... and politicians should keep their promise."

A poll carried out in the Tatton constituency suggests 82% of voters would like Mr Bell to stand again.

The MP said: "I'm having a ball. I don't think I'd enjoy it if I had to take a party whip but fortunately I don't."

Mr Bell pointed out that he still had two years to serve as an MP "so it's a bit premature to get overly vexed about it now".

He said: "I think I was remembered for keeping a promise that wouldn't be too bad."

The Conservative Party has already chosen its candidate to fight the Tatton seat in the next election.