Tory leadership flop Rory Stewart has resigned from the party.
The former international development secretary announced his decision not to stand in the next general election on Twitter at 9am this morning.
The 46-year-old expressed "sadness" over the move and told how it had been a "great privilege" to have been the member for Penrith and The Border since 2010.
He wrote: "It’s been a great privilege to serve Penrith and The Border for the last ten years, so it is with sadness that I am announcing that I will be standing down at the next election, and that I have also resigned from the Conservative Party."
We previous revealed how Stewart had been lined up to replace Ruth Davidson at Holyrood.
He had been encouraged to stand for the Scottish Parliament by several MSPs after being one of 21 Tory MPs to have the Conservative whip removed for voting against a no-deal Brexit.
The former Scottish Tory leader said: "Very sorry to see. Our party should have room for talented, experienced and committed people from across the Conservative spectrum."
Also reacting to the news, former Home Secretary Amber Rudd - who also resigned from the party - tweeted: "What a loss to politics. An outstanding MP & Minister.
"One of the strongest speakers in Parliament. Principled, patient, thoughtful. I feel certain he’ll be back."
