Gordon Brown 'To Stand Down'

Former prime minister Gordon Brown is expected to announce later that he is standing down as an MP.

It is understood he will announce in a speech in his Kirkcaldy constituency tonight that he will step down at the general election in May.

Mr Brown recently played a key role in the independence referendum where he urged Scots to vote 'no' in turn for additional devolved powers.

It is claimed he now wants to leave the world of politics on a high after serving at Westminister for the past 32 years.

He increased his majority in the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency by more than 6% to nearly 30, 000 votes during the 2010 general election.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has announced he won't stand to be North East Fife MP next year.

And Labour's Lindsay Roy is also vacating his Glenrothes seat at May's election.