FIVE Labour councillors in north-east England have resigned from the party over its banning of North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll from standing for re-election — and more are expected to follow suit.

Three were members of North Tyneside Council and the others sat on Northumberland County Council.

Two councillors told the Morning Star that the ban was the “last straw” after years of “appalling treatment” by the Labour Party. They vowed to campaign for Mr Driscoll when he stands as an independent socialist in next May’s election for the head of the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority.