A FORMER aide of David Cameron, Conservative Andrew MacKay, is stepping down as MP after he was heckled by his own constituents last night over his ‘unacceptable’ expenses claims.

Last night the 59-year-old member for Bracknell, in Berkshire, was met by angry protests as he arrived for his weekly surgery and was shouted-down throughout the meeting.

Mackay said his decision not to stand at the election came after a telephone call from Cameron this morning.

He had already quit his role as a Parliamentary aide to Cameron after it was revealed he claimed a full second home allowance towards a London property on which he had a joint mortgage with his wife, the Bromsgrove Tory MP Julie Kirkbride.

Ms Kirkbride, meanwhile, claimed the full annual sum for mortgage interest on the family home in the Midlands — treated as her constituency home — meaning that the couple both had taxpayer-funded second homes but no main home for which they actually picked up the bills themselves.

MacKay denied the public outcry witnessed at his constinuency meeting was a factor in his resignation

He said: “Following a conversation with David Cameron this morning I have decided to step down as candidate for Bracknell at the next general election.”

“I believe I could be a distraction at a time when he is working to get elected as prime minister with the good working majority necessary to take the tough decisions to turn this country around.

“I would never forgive myself if my candidature distracted voters from the key issues and particularly David’s rousing call for change.

“It has been both a privilege and huge fun to represent the people of Bracknell for 26 years.

“My decision is not as a result of last night’s meeting - at which I was grateful for the robust support of my local party and many constituents - and I would urge my colleagues to continue to hold their own public meetings."

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