Michael Martin quits as MP

Outgoing Commons Speaker Michael Martin formally stepped down as an MP today.

The Treasury announced that he had been made Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead - a procedural device used to enable MPs to resign between elections.

The move paves the way for a by-election in his Glasgow North East constituency which he held at the 2005 General Election with a 10,134 majority over the Scottish National Party.