ST ALBANS MEP Tom Wise, who faces criminal charges related to his expenses and allowances, will not attempt to retain his seat in June's euro-election.

The independent MEP's office manager Peter Cole told the Review: “I can assure you that Mr Wise will not be standing for re-election.”

His boss, who represents the East of England, was a member of the United Kingdom Independence Party until 2009, four years after the allegations, which have now led to charges of false accounting and money laundering, came to light.