A Labour MP who was the target of a neo-Nazi assassination plot is set to stand down and trigger a by-election in her constituency.
Rosie Cooper announced that she had accepted a new job as Chair of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust after 17 years representing West Lancashire.
Her statement did not confirm when she would step down but it is understood that Labour is bracing for a by-election in her seat this autumn.
Labour held the seat with an 8,000-strong majority in 2019 but the contest will provide a test for both Keir Starmer and new PM Liz Truss.
Ms Cooper said the decision had come after "a considerable period of soul searching and reflection" and admitted it would be a surprise to some in the party after she was recently reselected to fight the next election.
But she alluded to the strain of being the target of the failed murder plot, saying: "The events I have faced over the last few years are well documented and undoubtedly have taken their toll.
Far-right extremist Jack Renshaw was handed a life sentence for plotting to murder the MP in 2019.
His attempt was foiled by whistleblower Robbie Mullen, who was at a meeting in a pub when Renshaw announced he was going to kill Ms Cooper in July 2017.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Ms Cooper said: "It has been an incredible honour and privilege to have served the people of West Lancashire for the last 17 years. I have loved every minute, even in the most difficult times.
"I appreciate this will come as a surprise to many people having recently secured reselection to stand as West Lancashire's Labour Party Candidate for the next general election. This was prior to the recruitment process for the Mersey Care position.
"This decision to apply for the role was taken after a considerable period of soul searching and reflection.
"The events I have faced over the last few years are well documented and undoubtedly have taken their toll."
Mr Starmer will be under pressure to hold onto the constituency, which has been Labour since 1992, and held by Ms Cooper since 2005.
The modern boundaries were drawn in 1983, taking in parts of Ormskirk, once held by Labour former PM Harold Wilson.
The by-election could offer a return to Westminster for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who has stoked speculation in recent weeks that he still harbours ambitions of being Labour leader.
However he insisted last month that he would serve his full second term as mayor.
