David Cameron resigns from role as MP

Former British prime minister David Cameron is to stand down from his constituency of Witney, two months after leaving 10 Downing Street.

Cameron resigned from his role as PM in the aftermath of the UK's vote to leave the European Union in a historic referendum. He backed the Remain campaign and was left shocked as a small majority of Britons preferred to leave the bloc.

The ex-leader of the Conservative party said that he had thought about whether to continue in parliament over the summer, before deciding it was better for all concerned to step aside.

"I have thought about this long and hard over the summer and I have decided the right thing to do is to stand down as the member of parliament for Witney," Cameron said in an interview with ITV. There will be a byelection. "I will give the Conservative candidate my full support."

Cameron stated that his continuing in parliament would only serve as a distraction to his successor, Theresa May.

"In my view, with modern politics, with the circumstances of my resignation it isn’t really possible to be a proper backbench MP as a former prime minister. I think everything you do will become a big distraction and a big diversion from what the government needs to do for our country."

Critics have said that May has adopted a stance further to the right than Cameron, and that his resignation is a rejection over her policies.

A by-election will be held in the constituency to elect a replacement for Cameron, who stands down after holding the seat since 2001.