Xenophon dismisses talk of his return

Nick Xenophon has dumped on speculation he may run for a seat at the next federal election.

South Australian SA-BEST MP Frank Pangallo had suggested the former senator consider running against Defence Minister Christopher Pyne in his suburban Adelaide seat of Sturt.

But Mr Xenophon said any speculation he was considering a return to politics was unfounded.

"Not interested. Not happening," he tweeted on Thursday.