A CALL for a university to cancel a partnership agreement made with an arms manufacturer passed at the annual conference of the Northern region of the TUC on Saturday, but met strong opposition.

Newcastle Trade Union Council delegate Ron Brown, supported by the University and College Union (UCU), said the University of Northumbria planned to create a “world-leading” space science centre with Lockheed Martin – the world’s biggest weapons manufacturer.

He said Lockheed’s F35 fighter-bomber jets, which the firm classed as “the most lethal in the world,” were being used by Israel on its continuing attacks on Gaza.