Stewart Arnold bows out from succeeding Diana Wallis as MEP

A dramatic twist today in the story of Diana Wallis’s resignation and the question of whether or not her husband, Stewart Arnold, would succeed her:

Stewart Arnold, husband of Hull-based Liberal Democrat MEP Diana Wallis, has informed officials he will not be taking over his wife’s post at the EU Parliament, despite being eligible to do so as the party’s second-choice candidate at the last Euro elections.

His announcement follows a week of mounting criticism at the possibility of a husband automatically taking over his wife’s seat. Fellow Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies quit as party whip in protest, accusing the pair of “nepotism”…

Ms Wallis resigned following a failed bid to become President of the EU Parliament. She cited health reasons as a “contributory” factor, but said she chiefly wanted “a break from politics”.

Mr Arnold referred to her illness yesterday, saying he wants “to give her the support she needs.”