LABOUR Party activists in Clacton bid farewell last night (Thur) to the only Labour Euro MP in the Eastern region.

Richard Howitt has represented Essex in the Brussels parliament since 1994 but is standing down to take a new role in business.

At a meeting with Clacton Labour Party in Holland-on-Sea, the outgoing chairman of the European Parliamentary Labour Party gave thanks to party activists, local organisations and others in the constituency.

The 55-year-old commented: “Harwich and Clacton have given me some of my most memorable moments including the re-enactment of the Kindertransport evacuation of Jewish refugees from wartime Europe, opening the EU-funded tourist trail in Harwich and backing an EU-wide conference on European support for coastal areas, held right here in Clacton.

"I was proud that it was a Clacton fisherman who helped us win the European ban against the discard of dead fish, and I have been privileged to receive warm cooperation from many local organisations, including the Citizens Advice Bureau and 'Helping Hands'.

"It was with personal sadness that I attended the count on referendum night in Clacton, but we have to respect the result and I hope still be able to negotiate a new relationship with Europe based on close cooperation and partnership,” he said.

In November, Mr Howitt will become Chief Executive of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), which brings together a global coalition of business, investment, regulatory and civil society representatives, to drive a global evolution in corporate reporting.

He will be replaced by Alex Mayer from Cambridgeshire, who works in media, volunteering and fundraising.