Scott Morrison to retire from parliament in February

Former prime minister Scott Morrison is expected to announce his retirement from parliament in the coming days, senior Liberal Party sources have told Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.

The sources indicated to Mr Clennell that it is “very much happening” while hosing down speculation that former NSW premier Mike Baird had been approached to run for the seat of Cook.

“There has been speculation about a defence role, speculation about an overseas job, last year I went to air with speculation about a consultancy job,” Mr Clennell said.

“It is yet to be seen if these things have materialised but no doubt we might get some information about them in the statement.”

Mr Morrison intends to return to parliament to give a valedictory speech, the sources said.