Batley and Spen Labour MP Mike Wood has dismissed claims he is about to announce his retirement.

Speculation was mounting that Mr Wood, 67, was ready to step down at the next General Election in 2015.

Mr Wood is currently on annual leave but, in a carefully-worded statement, his spokesman said: “Mike has no plans to announce his retirement.

“Nor will he be distracted from the important work he does for the people of Batley and Spen by mischievous rumour and idle chatter.”

A possible exit for Mr Wood would spark interest in the seat from experienced political figures and wannabes alike.

A leading contender is likely to be Batley West councillor and Kirklees Council Cabinet member Shabir Pandor, who has made no secret of his Parliamentary ambitions.

Mr Wood, an MP since 1997, is renowned as a hard-working constituency MP who has never been afraid to go against his own party on issues he feels strongly about.

A Batley Labour insider told the Examiner: “Mr Wood is a very good MP.

“No-one wants him to go but he isn’t getting any younger and may decide the time is right.

“It’s no secret Shabir Pandor is interested.”

Mr Wood, a former probation officer and social worker, was a Kirklees councillor for Cleckheaton from 1980-88.

During that time he was chairman of the housing committee and the social services committee and was deputy leader of the council.

He joined the Labour Party at the age of 20 and contested the Hexham Parliamentary seat in 1987.

In October 2006 Mr Wood was one of 12 Labour MPs who joined a call for an inquiry into the Iraq War.

Clr Pandor declined to comment.