Sir Tony Cunningham to stand down at next election

After a career as a councillor, mayor, MEP and MP - the knight, Sir Tony Cunningham has decided to retire from Westminster at the next election.

The Workington MP said he wanted to spend more time with his family, particularly his young son.

Our Political Correspondent Paul Brand caught up with him in his constituency as he announced his decision.

• Sir Tony was born in Workington in 1952 and has spent most of his life there, working as a teacher before going into politics.

• His political career began locally, serving as Mayor of Workington and Leader of Allerdale Council in the 1990s.

• In 1994 he was elected to the European Parliament where he developed an interest in international development.

• In 1995 he published the Cunningham Report, which was the first report to call for the complete and outright ban of landmines.

• Before becoming an MP in 2001, he briefly worked as Chief Executive of the human rights organisation Indict, looking at authoritarian regimes such as Saddam Hussein's rule in Iraq.

• In his spare time Sir Tony is an avid sports fan, playing rugby and football and running regularly. While living in Zanzibar he even played first division soccer.

At the next election, Sir Tony Cunningham will be 62.

After a long career in politics as a councillor, MEP, MP and government whip, he ITV Border "the time just feels right to go."

There will be many in Labour eyeing it up as the party now searches for a new candidate.

The Workington MP Sir Tony Cunningham has decided to stand down at the next election after thirteen years in parliament.

Sir Tony told ITV Border on Thursday that he wanted to spend more time with his family.