Sex scandal MP to stand down
By politics.co.uk staff
An MP criticised last year for cheating on his wife in the Houses of Parliament has stepped down.
Nigel Griffiths insisted his decision had nothing to do with the controversy, which was triggered by a News of the World expose, and that he was leaving to take up a “once in a lifetime” job offer.
Mr Griffiths has held his marginal Edinburgh South seat for 23 years and is considered by most Labour officials to be a highly experienced and adept politician.
He will leave to take up a new post as director of an international education institution based in London, the US and India.
“After 30 years of continuously elected service in Edinburgh, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” he said.
“It would not be right to delay accepting this position, since I want to give the party time to select a new candidate to fight the forthcoming election.”
