Sir Eric Pickles to quit as MP before General Election

Former cabinet minister Sir Eric Pickles has said he will not stand for re-election on 8 June.After holding the Essex seat of Brentwood and Ongar since 1992, the Conservative politician will now be stepping down as an MP.Other prominent Conservative MPs who have said they will not be standing in the forthcoming General Election include George Osborne - who starts his new role as editor of the Evening Standard on 2 May - and Aldershot MP Sir Gerald Howarth.