NORTH West Durham Labour MP Pat Glass has confirmed she will not seek re-election in June.

Mrs Glass had previously confirmed she would stand down in 2020, but has now brought that decision forward.

She said: “I’ve already made my decision and that decision stands. It’s the right thing for me and my constituents.

“I will not be seeking re-election in June. There will be a new North West Durham MP on June 9.”

She added: "I know nothing about the selection process, so far. That is down to the National Executive Committee.

"I imagine it will be a shortened process, but what kind of shortened process I have no idea."

Reacting to news of the snap election , she said: "I am not surprised at all. I think in the current circumstances it was almost inevitable."