MP Sir John Randall has spoken out after he announced last night he was stepping down as Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP at the next general election.

He says he has no idea if Boris Johnson's rumoured plans to return to Parliament could bring the London Mayor to Uxbridge, but promised to support whoever takes his place.

"There'll be a lot of speculation about who will become the new candidate next but I have no idea who will do it," he told the Gazette this morning (Thursday, July 10).

"I haven't been asked to step down for Boris- this is purely my decision. There'll be a proper consultation process.

"But anything could happen, so who could say?

"When other London MPs have stood down they've said the same. A London seat would be ideal if he returns to Parliament. He will make his decision in September I think.

"I'm sure whoever becomes the MP I'd give them my full support. I'd be one of their constituents."

The 57-year-old announced the news at a Conservative Association meeting last night (Wednesday, July 9).

"They were slightly surprised," he said.

"But I thought it was the right time to do it. I'm just about young enough to take on something more challenging."

He has written to Prime Minister David Cameron officially informing him of his resignation.

"I have mixed emotions," he admitted. "It wasn't an easy decision. It's been 24-seven for 17 years. It's a big part of my life but I think there are more things to do.

"It'll be a bit of a wrench, but nothing is forever and I think it's time to move on."

Mr Randall, who lives in Cowley, says he is looking forward to regaining some anonymity.

"If you're in public life, it's difficult to really now have a private life when people recognise you and come up with their complaints," he said.

The announcement comes in the month of his seventeenth anniversary of being Uxbridge's MP.

"The last two MPs haven't stepped down because they both died in office and that's not a hat-trick I wanted to achieve," he said.