Former chancellor George Osborne is quitting as an MP following his decision to become editor of the Evening Standard along with four other jobs.

Mr Osborne will not be contesting his Tatton seat in June’s general election as he is stepping down from the House of Commons, “for now”.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, Mr Osborne said: ““I am stepping down from the House of Commons – for now. But I will remain active in the debate about our country’s future and on the issues I care about, like the success of the Northern Powerhouse.

“I want a Britain that is free, open, diverse and works with other nations to defend our democratic values in the world.

“I will go on fighting for that Britain I love from the editor’s chair of a great newspaper. It’s still too early to be writing my memoirs.”