Nickie Aiken becomes latest London Tory MP to stand down at election

Nickie Aiken has announced she is the latest Conservative MP in London to stand down at the next election.

The Cities of London and Westminster MP says she "remains loyal" to the party and prime minister.

She said she was leaving the role after her husband had accepted a job offer overseas.

Ms Aiken is the fifth London Conservative to announce they will not seek a nomination to stand in the next election.

First elected in 2019, Ms Aiken said she would remain in the UK until an election.

She said: "This is not a decision I have taken lightly. My husband, Alex, who has supported me steadfastly throughout my political career, has accepted a job offer overseas and he deserves my full support as he pursues a new career."

Mr Aiken, a senior civil servant at the Cabinet Office, is set to become a communications adviser at the United Arab Emirates' ministry of foreign affairs, the Telegraph reports.

Prior to her term in Parliament, Ms Aiken spent more than a decade as a councillor at Westminster City Council and became its leader in 2017.

"I will always be grateful for the support of the wonderful people of the City of London and the City of Westminster, local councillors and my Conservative Association," she said.

She added she would use her remaining time in Parliament to advance issues such as e-bike regulation, leasehold reform and professional certificates for delivery cyclists.

The Conservative Party's other MPs in London not seeking re-election are:

Bob Stewart, who lost the Conservative whip and now sits as an independent, is also stepping down from his Beckenham seat after a racial abuse conviction.

Labour's Harriet Harman and Dame Margaret Hodge are among other long-serving names in London retiring from the House of Commons.