Illsley’s decision will trigger a by-election in the Barnsley Central constituency Eric Illsley is quitting as an MP after pleading guilty on Tuesday to dishonestly claiming parliamentary expenses.
The MP for Barnsley Central had come under pressure to step down after admitting £14,000 of expenses fraud.
Labour leader Ed Miliband was among those to urge Illsley, who has yet to be sentenced, to quit.
Illsley has apologised to his constituents, saying he “deeply regretted” his actions.
He said he would be resigning before his sentencing next month.
In a statement issued by his office, Illsley said: “I would like to apologise to my constituents, family and friends, following my court appearance, for the distress and embarrassment caused by my actions that I deeply, deeply regret.
“I have begun to wind down my parliamentary office, following which I will resign from Parliament before my next court appearance.
“I will be making no further comment.”
Illsley’s decision will trigger a by-election in the Barnsley Central constituency.
He was re-elected as a Labour MP last May with a majority of more than 11,000, having first entered Parliament in 1987.
But he was suspended by Labour after being charged with abusing his expenses and has since been sitting as an independent MP.
Mr Miliband had urged him to stand down, saying his offences meant he could no longer be a “credible voice” for his constituents.
Senior Labour backbenchers had also threatened to use parliamentary procedure to expel him from the Commons unless he decided to quit voluntarily.
Illsley is the only current MP to have been charged in relation to his expenses.
Former Labour MP David Chaytor is serving an 18-month jail term after pleading guilty to dishonestly claiming expenses.
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