DAVID Anderson, the Shadow Scottish Secretary, has announced he will not seek re-election on June 8.

The 63-year-old MP for Blaydon has represented the Tyne and Wear seat since 2005.

The former miner and social worker said: “The calling of this election is nothing more than a cynical attempt by the Tories to put their interests before our country.

“However, the decision has been made and I welcome the chance to take Labour’s case out to the people of Blaydon.

“We’ll show them that there is a different, more positive and hopeful way to run our country than that proposed by the right-wing, anti-public service and pro-austerity Tory Party.”

But he then added: “I have reluctantly decided that for reasons of health, age and my family’s needs, I cannot commit to another five years in Parliament.

“To that end I will stand down but I will be campaigning hard with our new candidate and the positive policy platform put forward by our leader, Jeremy Corbyn, and the whole Labour movement.”

In January in an interview with The Herald, Mr Anderson said Mr Corbyn had to his raise his game in Scotland if Labour hoped to regain power.

The frontbencher said there was "no plan written down" on how to revive Labour in Scotland but that his "basic reaction is we need to get back to grassroots". 

Mr Anderson, who is also the Shadow Northern Irish Secretary, said he did not want to be a part-time Scottish Secretary but admitted: "People for their own reasons decided they wouldn't take the job on."