Keighley MP Kris Hopkins has resigned as a member of Bradford Council.

The Tory MP was first elected as a councillor to serve the Worth Valley ward in 1998 and went on to hold a number of portfolios on the Council’s executive before becoming the authority’s leader in 2006.

It was a position he held until May this year, when he won his seat in parliament.

But yesterday Mr Hopkins brought his 12 years of service on the Council to an end after finding it impossible to fulfil his duties as a councillor and an MP at the same time.

He offered his thanks to officers and staff who helped him during his time as a councillor.

“I feel immensely privileged to have worked alongside some incredibly professional individuals down the years, and while neither they nor I got it right every time we always had the best interests of the district’s residents at heart,” he said.

“I am particularly proud to be leaving at a time when responsibility for education is set to return to the Council, and am glad to have played a key role in bringing this about.

“I will continue to do all I can to maintain the progress we have made in ensuring our children are given the opportunity to fulfil their true potential in the classroom.

“I must also pay tribute to my friends and colleagues, both in the Conservative group and in the other parties, for the work they do on behalf of the district and to wish them well.

“Finally, but most importantly, I would like to thank the residents of Worth Valley for allowing me to serve them on the Council for the last 12 years.”