Councillor Andrew Burns has announced that he will not be putting himself forward for re-election as leader of the City of Edinburgh Council in the 2017 election.

The 52-year-old, who has been the council leader for four years and Labour group leader for eight, will stand down at the 2017 local government election to pursue other interests. He will stay in office up until the elections next May.

In a post on his blog, Burns said he wanted to “focus on a different phase” in his life not involving “front-line politics, in any shape or form - whatsoever”.

Mr Burns, who has been a councillor for almost 18 years, said: “Nothing I’ve done in my life beforehand, and I’m sure nothing that I’ll do with my life in the future; will match the hugely enriching local experiences I’ve had over those two decades.

“But today, I’m confirming that I won’t be putting my name forward for a fifth consecutive occasion, and thus will not be standing for potential re-election in 2017.

“I want to now move on; to focus on a different phase in my life. A phase that once again will not involve front-line politics, in any shape or form - whatsoever.”