Labour has lost its majority on a key council after six councillors quit the party to become independents.

The exodus at Newcastle City Council leaves Labour with 39 of the 78 seats – meaning it has lost overall control of the local authority.

The six councillors who have switched to become independents include Nick Kemp, who stood down as leader in September over bullying accusations which he denied.

Mr Kemp was joined by John Stokel-Walker, Marion Williams, Dave Wood, Margaret Wood and Stevie Wood.

Newcastle Conservatives

said it was “becoming more and more clear that Labour in Newcastle are consuming themselves with infighting and controversy”.

There are now 11 independents on the council, 22 Lib Dems, three Newcastle Independents, two Greens, and one Tory.

A Labour Party source called on the six to step down as councillors and trigger by-elections.

They said: “These councillors were all elected as Labour candidates.

“The people of Blakelaw, Byker, Walker, Walkergate elected them as Labour councillors.

“They should have the courage of their convictions, call by-elections and contest them as independents.”

Former North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll predicted more Labour councillors will resign.

On X, he wrote: “Labour have just lost control of Newcastle City Council, with six councillors resigning and becoming independents.

“I expect more will follow. I’ll be supporting a progressive alliance in the next elections.”