Creative industries minister Sion Simon is quitting to launch a bid to become the elected mayor of Birmingham.

Mr Simon worked as a journalist on the Daily Telegraph before being elected to the Commons in 2001.

His old paper recently revealed that he had paid his sister £40,000 in parliamentary expense allowances as "rent" for his second home in London.

As recently as last month, Mr Simon was dismissing reports that he would stand down at the election, which is expected in May.

He told the Birmingham Post on 7 January: "It's just nonsense. I'm looking forward to campaigning for Labour at the next election and asking the people of Erdington to let me continue representing them as their MP."

However he told the BBC today that he will now campaign for Birmingham to hold a referendum on whether it should adopt an elected mayor, and to stand for the position if successful.

"What we have is out of date 19th century municipal structures. I'm certainly committed to putting myself forward and becoming the Labour candidate," he said.

As a minister in the department for culture, media and sport, Mr Simon has been closely involved in the ongoing discussions over the establishment of regional TV news pilots in Scotland, Wales and the North-East.

A fortnight ago he responded to a debate on the regional press by announcing he wanted media watchdog Ofcom to investigate the impact of council newspapers.