St Helens North MP Conor McGinn will not stand at the next election

In a statement released on Friday, Mr McGinn said he would not seek re-election, citing a number of health problems, including a heart condition, that he has faced over the past year.

The MP has been under investigation by the Labour party since the end of last year following unspecified allegations made in a complaint against him.

The nature of the Labour investigation process meant that Mr McGinn automatically had the party whip suspended.

He has subsequently sat as an independent for the past six months.

Conor McGinn's statement

Mr McGinn, who was elected to the St Helens North seat in 2015, says he intends to take some time off to recover from ongoing health issues before returning to fulfil his duties as an MP for the remainder of the term.

Labour, meanwhile, has remained tight-tipped over the nature of the unspecified allegations that Mr McGinn has been facing.

In the statement confirming that he will not stand at the next election, Mr McGinn said: “It is a privilege to be the Member of Parliament for St Helens North and represent my friends, neighbours and our community.

“I have spent the best part of a decade as an MP and twenty years campaigning and active in politics.

 “As is well known I have had a number of health issues over the last year, including a heart condition, all of which have had a significant impact on me and my family.

 “I think it is therefore the right time for me and the right thing to do for my young family to step away from Westminster and start a new chapter in our lives, and therefore I do not intend to stand at the next General Election.”

The MP added: “Like everyone, I made mistakes and sometimes got it wrong, but I am very proud of what I have achieved and the good things I have done as an MP over my three terms.

I changed the law twice as a backbencher with cross-party campaigns to help the families of murder victims through Helen’s Law and to legalise equal marriage in Northern Ireland.

“I’ve helped deliver tens of millions of pounds of funding for transformational regeneration and major projects in my constituency.

I played a role as a Shadow Cabinet Minister, the Shadow Security Minister and the Deputy National Campaign Co-ordinator in getting the Labour Party to a position where we are firmly on course to win the next election and be back in government.

“Most importantly for me, I was able to help and support thousands of individuals, families, businesses, sports clubs and community groups in St Helens.”

He continued: “I am going to take some time off to fully recover from my ongoing health issues, and then I will continue to work hard for our fantastic community in St Helens and Newton-le-Willows until the next election. I have plenty more to say, do and give in the future.

“I am grateful to my many friends and colleagues for all their loyal support, as well as all my staff past and present. Most of all I want to thank my wife Kate, our children and my loving family. Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin.”

Suspension

The Labour party has said that Mr McGinn remains administratively suspended from membership of the Labour Party, pending investigation.

The administrative suspension also leads to the automatic precautionary suspension of the whip.

The party says it cannot comment on individual cases because its disciplinary procedures are “independent and confidential”.

It is understood Mr McGinn denies any wrongdoing and intends to fight to clear his name.

Local party support

Meanwhile, there has been support from within the local Labour party.

The leader of St Helens Council David Baines said: “Conor is a fantastic MP for St Helens North - hardworking, caring, and helpful, he has always done his best for residents and our communities.

"He has been instrumental in much of our progress in recent years including our successful bid for £20m Levelling Up funding for Earlestown, delivering Glass Futures, and securing £25m Town Deal funding for St Helens.

"More than anything, he’s always been there to help thousands of residents, businesses and community groups in any way he can.

"I know this won’t have been an easy decision for him but he’s putting his health and his family first, and that’s always understandable and the right thing to do.

"I know he will remain committed to St Helens North until his term ends, and beyond, and I’d like to put on record my thanks and admiration for everything he’s done and particularly for the support he’s given to me as leader.”