Ananova:

Mo Mowlam is to stand down as an MP at the next General Election but will keep her Government job until then.

The move has been described by Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman as "a career decision by Mo, pure and simple".

He says Mr Blair believes she will be "a great loss to the Government and a great loss to parliament".

Ms Mowlam met Mr Blair at No 10 briefly on Monday to plan the announcement of her retirement and to tell him her mind was made up.

No 10 said Ms Mowlam would make a statement this afternoon explaining her decision, which was said to be unrelated to the brain tumour she had battled against during her time as Northern Ireland Secretary.

Mr Blair's spokesman added: "She (Ms Mowlam) has decided in the working years she has left that she wants to do something away from Parliament and she has a desire to do something different.

"The Prime Minister has a huge regard for her abilities and believes her undoubted talents lend themselves to a number of different areas and that she still has a massive contribution to make."

Asked if 50-year-old Ms Mowlam would continue as Cabinet Office Minister until the next election the spokesman replied: "The intention is that she will continue doing what she's doing now until then.

"The Prime Minister has a great regard for her ability. He believes she will be a great loss to the Government and a great loss to Parliament.

"She has done a huge amount in Northern Ireland, she's doing excellent work in tackling the issue of drugs and she flies to Colombia this week to continue that work."