Wintertons to step down at next election

Tory backbenchers Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton have announced they will stand down at the next election.

The Guardian reported that the decision came "almost a year after the married Conservative MPs were found to have submitted claims for more than £80,000 in rent, for a London flat that was owned by a trust". The couple made rental claims totalling £900 a month each.

Lady Winterton also claimed £1,100 for household items and £11,000 in service charge bills for the flat. The couple together claimed £11,410 for food.

The couple wrote a letter to the Conservative leader David Cameron saying they could not "maintain the hectic pace of political life".

Sir Nicholas wrote in the letter: "When you feel as we do that maybe the years are taking their toll and perhaps we can no longer represent Macclesfield and Congleton with the same level of energy and enthusiasm as in the past, we have reached the conclusion that we should pass the baton to a younger person because [our constituencies] deserve the very best."

The Times reports that the Wintertons have long been seen as members of the Tory "old guard" who have been a "thorn in the side" of Cameron's leadership and attempts to modernise the party.