Independent parliamentary contender Claire Wright has said tonight she 'stands ready to take on the issues' important to people in East Devon after a shock announcement from her long time political opponent East Devon MP Sir Hugo Swire.

In a tweet sent out tonight the MP said he remained a supporter of Boris Johnson but will be standing down at the next General Election.

Nub News contacted Claire Wright, who came a close second in East Devon in the 2017 General Election, for her views on Sir Hugo's announcement, she said: "Party Politics is in turmoil. I stand ready to take on the issues that matter to people here in Devon East of health services straining to cope, underfunded schools and the irreparable damage to our environment under the watch of the current Conservative government which lurches from one crisis to another and has put narrow party political interest above the needs of local people."

If you want to read the full statement from Sir Hugo Swire, explaining his decision, please click on the red button below.