Three Labour MPs to stand down

Updated on 02 June 2009

David Chaytor, Beverley Hughes and Patricia Hewitt have announced they will not stand at the next general election. Andrew Thomas reports.

Bury North MP David Chaytor, who claimed thousands for a non-existent mortgage, said his priority in the coming months was to explain his expenses "errors".

He is one of three Labour MPs who announced they would not seek re-election. But Children's Minister Beverley Hughes and former health secretary Patricia Hewitt have both said they are standing down for family reasons.

And another cabinet minister was forced into an embarrassing apology. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has admitted he over-claimed nearly £400 and has said he will pay it back.