A RUMOUR Forest MP Mark Harper is to quit the Forest of Dean to contest a seat closer to London has been dismissed as "wishful thinking."

Mr Harper told the Review this week that the story was gossip.

He said: "I am fully committed to supporting my constituents in the Forest of Dean for as long as they continue to elect me as their MP.

"I have every intention of standing again at the next General Election in this constituency. Any rumours to the contrary are an example of wishing thinking by my political opponents."

The suggestion was made to the Review that local Conservatives had already selected another prospective parliamentary candidate.

"It is true to say Katie Bensted, of St Briavels, has been selected to contest a county council seat. That is probably how the rumour started," said a spokesman in Mr Harper's London office.