Michael Gove to stand down at general election

Seventy-seven Tory MPs are quitting rather than standing, beating 1997’s record number

Michael Gove has announced he will not stand at the general election, bringing the number of Conservative MPs quitting the Commons instead of standing to 77, beating the previous record of 72 from 1997.

Rishi Sunak’s sudden announcement of a 4 July election had already prompted a renewed rush of Conservatives saying they would step down, with the total hitting 70 by Wednesday evening.