A NORTHERN mayor who was banned by Labour from standing for re-election has resigned from the party after making a blistering attack on its leadership.

North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll will stand against Labour as an independent for re-election to his job in May in a row which has already caused huge damage in the 22 Constituency Labour Parties in his North of Tyne district.

Some affiliated trade unions refused to take part in the selection of an alternative candidate from two imposed by the Labour Party’s national executive committee, which barred him from standing.