North leader calls for seat at Theresa May's Brexit table

The leader of the North East Combined Authority has called for a place at the Brexit negotiating table with Prime Minister Theresa May.

Paul Watson was one five leaders of combined authorities who said it was "absolutely vital" the North is heard during negotiations to leave the EU as its population is greater than London's and its economy is larger that Scotland's and Wales's.

They invited Mrs May to a meeting in Greater Manchester "at her earliestconvenience".

A letter signed by combined authority leaders from West Yorkshire (Peter Box), Greater Manchester (Tony Lloyd), Liverpool (Joe Anderson), Sheffield (Steve Houghton) as well as the North East, said: "Your efforts to meet leaders outside London is commendable.

The IPPR North think tank backed the letter.

Director Ed Cox said: "The North of England has a population of 15 million and an economy worth £300 billion - twice that of Scotland - and so it is right that Northern leaders should demand a place at the Brexit negotiating table and a North first approach to investment.

"The city leaders should be mindful though that it was outside the big citiesthat the strength of the Leave vote was strongest and for the 'northernpowerhouse' initiative to prosper, greater thought must be given to how theNorth speaks with a more inclusive voice and develops a more joined-up economic plan."