Former British Prime Minister David Cameron Resigns

Protesters hold up a sign in April 2016 demanding Cameron's ouster following the release of the Panama Papers. (Photo: Ron F./flickr/cc)

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron Resigns

The Conservative says continuing to be MP would be 'big distraction'

This post will be updated.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron announced Monday he is resigning from Parliament.

He said in a statement:

In my view, with modern politics, with the circumstances of my resignation it isn't really possible to be a proper backbench MP as a former prime minister.

I think everything you do will become a big distraction and a big diversion from what the government needs to do for our country.

The development comes less than three months after Cameron resigned as prime minister following the Brexit referendum. During his time as prime minister, as Common Dreams wrote, he faced "criticism over his support for austerity policies, disregard for the environment, callous approach toward refugees, and hawkishness on the bombing of Syria."

Cameron's resignation, which counters his previous claim that he was "very keen" to continue as MP, triggers a by-election for his Oxfordshire seat of Witney. Cameron said in his statement that he would support the Conservative candidate.

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