Lib Dem MP Howarth to stand down

Liberal Democrat MP David Howarth has announced he will stand down at the next general election.

The party's justice spokesman has represented Cambridge since 2005, having taken the seat from Labour's Anne Campbell.

Mr Howarth, a law and economics lecturer, said he would "concentrate on my other life as an academic".

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said he would be "sorely missed", adding: "Academia's gain is very much politics' loss."

More than 100 MPs have announced they will stand down at the general election, which must be held by next June.

Mr Howarth, a former Cambridge city councillor, said: "After nearly 22 years of elected public office, the time has come for me to concentrate on my other life, as an academic.

"It has been a privilege to serve the people of Cambridge over that time, both in local government and in Parliament."

Mr Clegg said: "David will be sorely missed. His colleagues here in Westminster - across all parties - recognise him as a politician of huge integrity and intellectual ability."

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