Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as the Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras, bringing his 11-year parliamentary career to an end.

Starmer, who stepped down as Labour Party leader earlier in the summer after two years as Prime Minister, said it was the right time to leave Parliament and focus on international affairs.

In a statement, he said his future work would focus on areas including defence, security, trade and technology in what he described as a rapidly changing world.

His resignation will trigger a by-election in the London constituency, which he has represented since 2015.

Starmer's decision comes after a turbulent period in British politics. He became Labour leader in 2020 and led the party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election.

However, his premiership faced growing political pressure and declining popularity, eventually leading to his resignation as Labour leader and Prime Minister.

Andy Burnham was subsequently installed as Prime Minister in July, succeeding Starmer.

Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, had been credited with rebuilding Labour's electoral prospects after years in opposition and moving the party towards the political centre.

His departure from Parliament marks a further step away from frontline British politics, although his announcement indicates he intends to remain active in international affairs.