MP to stand down at next election
An MP in one of the Conservatives’ most marginal seats has announced he will not seek reselection at the next election.
Andrew Pelling, MP for Croydon Central, has written to his local Conservative Federation to confirm he will stand down at the end of this parliament.
Mr Pelling had been suspended from the Conservative party after he was arrested in September this year for allegedly assaulting his pregnant wife.
The Crown Prosecution Service did not pursue the case, brought by his second wife Lucy, and Mr Pelling was never charged.
He was suspended from the party following his arrest.
Mr Pelling married Lucy Pelling last year after separating from his first wife, with whom he has three children.
The 48-year-old is a former councillor and now member of the London Assembly member.
He was elected to Croydon Central in 2005 with a majority of just 75.
Boundary changes mean the seat will nominally become a Labour seat at the next election, but with a slim majority making it a top Conservative target seat.
