UNION leaders have written to Sir Keir Starmer to express “astonishment and dismay” that Jamie Driscoll was barred from standing as Labour’s candidate for the inaugural North East mayoralty.

In an open letter to the party’s leader and governing body, 10 general secretaries said blocking the “outstanding” left-wing North of Tyne mayor’s candidacy was a “monumental own goal.”

They said: “We are astonished and dismayed that Jamie Driscoll is being prevented from being considered as Labour’s candidate for the North East mayoralty. To exclude a politician of Jamie’s calibre and commitment represents a monumental own-goal.

“Jamie’s drive and leadership in negotiating a devolution deal for the North East is widely acknowledged and as trade unionists we know that Jamie is firmly on the side of working people.

“He has stood with workers on the picket line and he has stood with trade unionists in their campaigns for better wages, jobs and services.”

It added: “Working people need a strong voice like Jamie.

“We are calling for common sense to prevail and for Jamie to be given the opportunity to stand in the selection to be Labour candidate for North East mayor.”

Mr Driscoll has branded Labour “anti-democratic” for blocking his candidacy after he shared a platform with acclaimed film-maker Ken Loach.

Earlier this month he said he had been barred from running for promoting socialist views and that Labour’s national executive committee panel had told him that “because you spoke to Ken Loach, that may cause us electoral damage in future.”

Mr Loach has said that anti-semitism is being used to purge Labour of politicians on the left, and that keeping Mr Driscoll off the Labour’s longlist of candidates because they shared a platform was “dishonest”  and the “lamest excuse I’ve ever heard.”

The letter was signed by general secretaries Mick Lynch of the RMT, Mick Whelan of Aslef, Dave Ward of CWU, Matt Wrack of FBU, Sarah Woolley of BFAWU and Bob Monks of Urtu.

PCS president Fran Heathcote, UCU general secretary Jo Grady and POA general secretary Steve Gillan signed in a personal capacity.

A FBU spokesman said: “The decision to exclude Jamie Driscoll, a sitting mayor from the North East mayoral selection process, is an utter disgrace. This move, amongst a long list of anti-democratic manoeuvres by the Labour Party leadership, rides roughshod over Keir Starmer's previous commitments to democracy in the Party.

“Keir Starmer should show leadership and act in accordance with his previous statements.

“The FBU calls for this decision to be reversed and at minimum for Jamie Driscoll to be allowed to appeal to a panel of the NEC to hear his case."

The Labour Party has been contacted for comment. A spokesman previously said: “The Labour Party holds its candidates to a very high standard.

“We do not comment on individual applications.”