MP HARRY Cohen has confirmed that he will not stand at the next general election because of stress placed upon him and his wife during the expenses scandal.

The Labour member for Wanstead and Leyton, who is currently being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards after being heavily criticised for his use of the second homes allowance, has announced that after 26 years, it is time to move on.

In a statement to the Guardian Mr Cohen said: "To return to this decision, a major influence has been recent events around Parliamentary expenses.

"As you know, I have been repeatedly vilified in the media with false allegations and am still awaiting my name to be cleared both by the Press Complaints Commission and the Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards after a complaint was lodged against me by a BNP member.

"I believe that I will be totally exonerated. In the meantime I am constrained from speaking further and trust that the constituency party will understand my position."

He added: "These constant attacks have put me under intolerable stress and have also been detrimental to Ellen’s [Mr Cohen's wife's] heart condition.

"The incessant intrusion into our family life has brought me to the recognition of strong personal reasons to stand down."

The party will now select a new candidate for Mr Cohen's post.

Elaine Norman from the Redbridge Labour group said: "I think he has been a fantastic constituency MP and deserved the honour he was given by the Labour Party for representing Leyton and Wanstead for 25 years.

"I think he has been good value for money"

When asked whether she would consider standing in Mr Cohen's place, Ms Norman refused to rule herself out. She said: "I haven't even thought about it. I only heard the news yesterday."

The MP, who claims his second home is just six miles from Parliament at Woodcote Road, Wanstead, received a Additional Cost Allowance of £104, 701 between 2002 and 2007, and was the joint highest claimant between 2007 and 2008.

His main family home is listed as a 200-year-old converted school in Colchester, Essex.