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Just two Labour politicians are left vying to be North of Tyne mayor, after a candidate who signed up to increase diversity withdrew.

Cullercoats councillor Karen Lee, who entered the race when Labour party bosses suspended the process after it produced an all-male slate of candidates, has announced she's leaving the nomination battle.

Putting herself forward in December, the Benwell-born business woman said she was "excited about the challenge" and that she hoped to fight for "equal opportunities" for the people of the North Tyne area

Coun Lee this week secured enough support to make it to the next stage of the Labour party process, alongside Newcastle Council leader Nick Forbes and Momentum-backed Jamie Driscoll.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

North East MEP Paul Brannen didn't secure the requisite support and confirmed he was dropping out on Monday.

But although Coun Lee met with Labour representatives on Tuesday ahead of moving forward to the next stage of selection, on Wednesday morning she announced she'd decided against going further.

She said she had already missed "milestones" in the candidate application process and, because of her later entry, felt the timing had not been right for her to make a strong enough bid.

(Image: JD4M)

Speaking to Chronicle Live, she said: "It's something I've decided for myself, because I'm more interested in a Labour party win than my own personal win.

"I came to this after the other candidates had already embarked on their journey, and it became absolutely obvious to me that Nick and Jamie were competing with each other as established candidates.

"I felt I would just be a distraction, and I didn't want to be a divisive candidate."

However, she added: "It's really important to understand that I come at this from a firm belief that there are huge roles for women to play in politics and I'm not giving up the opportunity here, I will look to take it elsewhere at another point, and I believe I have a voice which I do want to use.

"This was just not the right time."

Announcing her withdrawal on Twitter, she said: "I would like to wish the two candidates remaining in the Mayoral candidate selection process the best of luck."

Coun Forbes will now face Coun Driscoll, who represents the Monument ward in Newcastle, to decide who will represent Labour in the inaugural May 2 election.