The Croydon Advertiser has this exclusive:
"Andrew Pelling has told his party he does not want to stand at the next general election. The Croydon Central MP was today (Monday) told he was no longer suspended by the Tory party.
But in a letter to his constituency party, he revealed he will not be seeking re-selection as a Conservative candidate. His decision ends months of speculation since he was suspended from the Tory party in September after his 26-year-old wife, Lucy, told police he had assaulted her.
Mr Pelling, 48, told the local party in a letter: "This will bring to an end 28 years of representing Croydon constituents in political office. "I and my Parliamentary office staff will be looking forward to giving the same high standard of service to constituents in the coming years, up to the general election, as we have given to date." He adds: "It has been very rewarding to receive so many kind messages of support and thanks from constituents for the work that we have done for them over the past two years."
The letter was today delivered to Croydon Central constituency chairman, Councillor Richard Chatterjee. Cllr Chatterjee told the Advertiser: "We are not looking immediately for a replacement candidate. "The timing will be down to the national party."
The scandal first broke in September, after Lucy told police her husband had beaten her up. Mr Pelling was arrested at his home in Croham Valley Road, South Croydon, and bailed to return to Croydon police station once officers had completed their investigations. The Tory party also withdrew the whip from him, effectively suspending him from the party.
However, in October he was informed no charges would be pressed. Since then, several sources have told the Advertiser the couple are on the brink of a reconciliation. However, Mr Pelling has refused to speak out since his arrest. He has also been notable by his absence at several public events, most notably Croydon's Remembrance Sunday service. And he pulled out of going to the South Norwood Spirit of the Community festival just hours before he was due to open it on November 17. His many absences have led to growing concerns about his health, which is believed to be one of the reasons why the Tory whips' office has been slow in coming to a decision on his future."
