Barrister chosen as Tory candidate for David Cameron's Witney constituency

The Conservative Party has selected a barrister to be its candidate for David Cameron's constituency in Oxfordshire.

The former Prime Minister quit Parliament earlier this month saying he did not want to be a "distraction" to the Government.

Father-of-one Robert Courts, 37, was on Thursday night chosen to run as the Tory candidate for the constituency of Witney & West Oxfordshire.

Speaking after his selection, Mr Courts said he is "hugely honoured" and paid tribute to Mr Cameron.

He said: "For the last 15 years we have had a brilliant MP and public servant in David Cameron and it is wonderful that he and his family plan to stay local.

"I believe it is vital that Witney and West Oxfordshire residents continue to have a strong local voice in Parliament and I will work tirelessly to ensure that residents' views and concerns are heard.

"I look forward to meeting and speaking with as many local residents as possible in the coming weeks and discussing the issues that matter to them."

Mr Courts has been a West Oxfordshire District Councillor since 2014 and was described by the Conservative Party as a "devoted champion for the area".

He works as a barrister, volunteers as a speaker for Thames Valley Air Ambulance and is a member of the Parochial Church Council in Bladon.

Robert lives with his wife, Kathryn, and his son, Henry, in Bladon, Woodstock.