Braintree Conservatives will have to choose a new prospective parliamentary candidate after their under-fire MP after he decided to step down at the next election amid further sex allegations.

Brooks Newmark announced his decision on Saturday, as new claims he had sent explicit images to a single mum emerged on Sunday.

Chris Siddall, chairman of Braintree Constituency Conservative Association, said: “He’s been an excellent MP.

“I think it’s very much a private matter for him and his wife.”

Mr Siddall said he was grateful Mr Newmark has not stepped down straight away in a “knee jerk reaction”.

“We need to think carefully what to do next,” said Mr Siddall, a district councillor for the Three Colnes.

“Brooks had been selected earlier this year as a candidate so he was already a preferred candidate.

“I have accepted his resignation.

“It’s now up to the association to take time to reflect and see who the next candidate will be.”