North East devolution deal 'off the table'

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed that plans for a devolution deal covering the North East are now off the table.

The seven councils which make up the North East Combined Authority voted 4-3 against the devolution deal earlier this week.

Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside all voted to move forward but Sunderland, Durham, South Tyneside, Gateshead voted against.

A Commons debate planned for Monday, to enable elections in 2017 for the first-ever directly elected North East Mayor, has now been cancelled and the legislation withdrawn.

Mr Javid said he was "very disappointed" but the local decision would be respected.