A SENIOR Labour Member of the European Parliament has announced his intention to leave the job after 22 years. 

Today Richard Howitt, who has represented Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Luton, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Peterborough since 1994, announced his intention to resign.

Mr Howitt is the second longest-serving MEP and serves as the only Labour representative in the region. 

He is expected to take up the role of chief executive of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) in November, but will continue with his duties until his formal resignation. 

In a statement published on Mr Howitt's website he said: "It has been an enormous privilege to serve in this role and I cannot thank enough the countless people who I have sought to help and who have shown extraordinary kindness in helping me.

"It is time for me to take on a new role, but my personal values are as strong as ever, I will remain living with my family locally and I am sure the many friendships I have made will endure long in to the future."

The European Parliament procedure means Britain will nominate the next Labour candidate from the last European Elections in 2014 to replace him.