Surrey MP Chris Grayling to step down after cancer diagnosis

Former Transport Secretary Chris Grayling is to stand down as an MP at the end of this Parliament.

Mr Grayling, who also served as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Chancellor, has been the MP for Epsom and Ewell in Surrey since 2001.

In a statement to his local Conservative constituency association on Friday he revealed the decision came following a prostate cancer diagnosis.

The association will now select a successor as Conservative candidate.

In the statement Mr Grayling said: "Earlier this year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and although the treatment has been successful, it has prompted me to think that after 22 years it is time for a change.

"I am very grateful to you for the support I have been given by you all over the years.

"I will obviously carry on working as normal until the election and will hope to see you at one of the upcoming events."

Mr Grayling's political career has not been without criticism; during his tenure as Transport Secretary he was dubbed "Failing Grayling" by opposition MPs.

It followed a series of transport policy mishaps including his handling of rail timetable changes and a £33m Brexit payout to Eurotunnel.

He stood down from the role when Boris Johnson became prime minister.

In September 2020 he secured a position advising some of the UK's top ports, despite watchdog concerns it would give Hutchison Ports an unfair advantage.

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