A SUSSEX academic has resigned as leader of a political party calling for independence for the north of England.

Brighton resident and lecturer at the University of Sussex Philip Proudfoot founded the Northern Independence Party in 2020, but cited “professional commitments” for his decision to stand down as party leader.

In a statement, Mr Proudfoot said: “I have made this decision with a heavy heart.

“I remain a member of the party and a firm believer in our cause. I have faith in our membership and our structures and I am confident that a new leader will be able to take on this role and guide the party through future challenges.

“While I cannot continue to serve as leader, I am not going away. Together with other party members, I will continue to work to build a freer, fairer North for everyone.”

Mr Proudfoot, who was born in County Durham, has called for the north of England to break away from the rest of the UK to form an independent state dubbed “Northumbria”.

He created the party in response to Keir Starmer becoming leader of the Labour Party and the north-south divide in England.

The Northern Independence Party will now join the Conservatives in looking for new leader, with nominations set to open on August 1.

The party has yet to gain any elected representation at a local or national level, with the party gaining just 84 votes in the recent Wakefield by-election. By contrast, the Yorkshire Party - which calls for a devolved assembly for the region, got 1,182 votes.

Alongside independence, the Northern Independence Party calls for increases to the national minimum wage to £9.50 an hour, a pay rise of 15 per cent for NHS workers, and 

Earlier this year, former EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman agreed to pay “substantial damages” after accusing Mr Proudfoot of having “a Jew blocklist”.