Former Prime Minister David Cameron is standing down as an MP, triggering a by-election in his Witney seat, Sky News said.
Mr Cameron, who quit as Prime Minister less than three months ago, said he had “thought about (his future as an MP) long and hard over the summer”, deciding it was “the right thing to do to stand down”.
He added: “In my view, in modern politics, with the circumstances of my resignation, it isn’t really possible to be a proper backbench MP.
“As a former Prime Minister, everything you do will become a big distraction, a big diversion from what the Government needs to do for our country.”
Mr Cameron did not give any indication as to what he might do with his life after politics, saying he has yet to make any “firm decisions”.
He did say, however, that he would continue to live in the constituency and support local causes “but obviously I’m going to have to start to build a life outside Westminster”.
“I hope I’ll continue to contribute in terms of public service and of course contribute to this country I love so much.”
He said he had spoken to current Prime Minister Theresa May about his decision and she had been “very understanding”.
When asked if Mrs May’s plan to introduce a new series of grammar schools was a factor in his decision, he replied: “This decision has got nothing to do with any one individual issue.
“The timing in that way, I promise, is coincidental.”
But, regarding the EU referendum, Mr Farron said: “He took a politically-motivated and short-termist gamble with our country’s future and lost, to the huge detriment of future generations.
“He now leaves the rest of us to pick up the pieces.”
