MP Mackinlay decides not seek re-election after sepsis recovery

Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay who lost his hands and feet after suffering a life-threatening episode of sepsis he will not be seeking re-election.

The South Thanet MP only returned to parliament on 22 May, a day before the election was called, after eight months in recovery.

Mr Mackinlay said he came to his decision after “36 hours of intense soul searching”.

He becomes the 117th MP to stand down ahead of the general election.

In a social media post, Mr Mackinlay said: “Whilst my heart tells me to stand again, there being so much unfinished business across local regeneration and national issues which are important to me, my head knows this to be impossible at this time.”

Mr Mackinlay had to learn to walk gain using prosthetic limbs after his limbs turned “black” and were amputated after he contracted Sepsis last September.

Speaking to the BBC, he said wanted to be known as the first “bionic MP”, after he was fitted with prosthetic legs and hands.

He was given a standing ovation by MPs when he returned to Parliament.

The suddenness of the surprise election campaign meant it would be “difficult to withstand the rigours of an all-out election campaign, a campaign that I’d always wish to lead from the front,” he added.

Mr Mackinlay said: “Upon being re-elected it would be difficult for me to sustain 70 to 80 hour working weeks which were the norm prior to my illness.

I had hoped to phase my return to the House of Commons over the coming months as my abilities improved.

“I face numerous future operations as a result of the serious sepsis that I suffered which very nearly took my life. I have only just started the prosthetic journey and I have weekly physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions.

“To be elected to the House of Commons is a rare privilege of life”