Former Labour Cabinet Minister and anti-apartheid campaigner Peter Hain has "decided to draw stumps" on his Commons career and will stand down as an MP at the 2015 General Election.

Mr Hain, who fought against the whites-only South Africa rugby and cricket teams touring Britain in 1969 and 1970, served as Northern Ireland, Welsh and Work and Pensions secretary and Commons leader.

The Neath MP, who has spent 50 years in politics said he had planned to fight on, yet added that following talks with Labour leader Ed Miliband he had "decided to draw stumps on my House of Commons career".

Mr Miliband said his "integrity, wisdom and firmness in speaking up for those least empowered to speak for themselves" would be sorely missed.

He had been MP for the Wales constituency for 23 years.