London - The Tory rightwinger, Mrs Teresa Gorman, is to stand down as MP for Billericay at the next general election, she announced yesterday. Mrs Gorman (67), famed for her outspoken attacks on Europe, said she wanted to seek new challenges outside parliament.
The MP, whose husband is ill, gained a reputation as a relentless critic of the EU since being elected for the Essex seat in 1987. She was one of the eight MPs who had the party whip withdrawn by the former prime minister, Mr John Major, for opposing the Maastricht Treaty.