Nadine Dorries stands down as Tory MP

She said it is 'time for another to take the reins'

Nadine Dorries has stood down as an MP with immediate effect.

Dorries, who is a former culture secretary and one of Boris Johnson's most ardent supporters, said it was "time for another to take the reins."

Her resignation as an MP will prompt a by-election in her constituency of Mid Bedfordshire, where she has a majority of just under 25,000.

In a tweet, she wrote: "I have today informed the chief whip that I am standing down as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire, with immediate effect.

"It has been an honour to serve as the MP for such a wonderful constituency but it is now time for another to take the reins."

Dorries had already announced that she would not be standing at the next general election.

Her announcement comes ahead of the publication of Johnson's resignation honours list, which is expected later.

The 66-year-old had been expected to be nominated for an honour and to stand down to accept the peerage.

However, later reports suggested she had been dropped from the list to avoid triggering a by-election, the BBC reports.