Six councillors, including ex-leader, quit Labour

Nick Kemp stepped down as Newcastle City Council leader in September

A former city council leader has quit Labour along with five others.

Nick Kemp is now sitting as an independent on Newcastle City Council, just weeks after he resigned as its leader in the wake of a bullying complaint, which he denies.

Labour, which runs the council, now has 39 out of 78 seats - meaning it has lost overall control of the local authority.

A spokesperson for the council said the resignations did not affect the political leadership.

"Council business will continue to operate as normal," they added.

Byker councillor Kemp has been joined by Blakelaw's Marion Williams, as well as East End councillors John Stokel-Walker, David Wood, Margaret Wood and Stevie Wood.

A Labour party source told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the six should step down as councillors, adding they were "elected as Labour candidates".

"They should have the courage in their convictions, call by-elections and contest them as independents," they said.

'Building up'

David Wood said the government’s cuts to the winter fuel allowance, increase in bus fare cap and university tuition fee rise were key reasons behind his decision.

"I will be surprised if we are the only ones to jump," he said.

The councillor added he would "still be fighting for the people of Walker, as I have done for the last 36 years," confirming that he, his wife Margaret, and ward colleague Stokel-Walker all intended to stay on until the next set of council elections in 2026.

Stevie Wood, of neighbouring Walkergate ward, said "this didn't happen in 10 minutes, it has been building up in me for a while," citing the winter fuel allowance and Labour North's "interference" in the recent leadership selection.

Kemp has been approached for comment.

Karen Kiglour, Kemp's former deputy, was appointed to replace the Byker councillor in October as leader, becoming the first woman in the city's history to hold the top job.

Labour has run the council since 2011, when it ended seven years of Liberal Democrat leadership.