Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday announced his decision to step down as Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras.

Starmer, in a statement, said: “Now is the right time to step down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras and hand the baton over to a successor.”

He said he would now focus on “international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world.”

Starmer’s resignation will trigger a by-election in the London constituency.

He said that whoever emerged as the Labour Party’s candidate for the seat would have his “full support and backing”.