LABOUR’S grassroots rebellion against Sir Keir Starmer’s refusal to support a ceasefire in Gaza mounted today after a former lord mayor of Newcastle quit the party in protest.

In a blistering attack, councillor Habib Rahman, who became Newcastle’s first non-white lord mayor in 2021, accused Mr Starmer of “advocating for the decimation of the Palestinian people” in his support for Israel.

He joins more than 30 Labour councillors who have quit the party over the leader’s stance.