BUSINESSMAN Leo Gillen has declared he is to stand for the Labour Party nomination to become the first directly-elected mayor of Hartlepool.
Mr Gillen, whose family newsagency business employs 200 people, said he has been encouraged to stand for election by the local business community.
In October, voters in Hartlepool opted for a directly-elected mayor in a referendum, despite the opposition of the Labour Party in the town.
Mr Gillen, a close associate of local MP Peter Mandelson and a Labour supporter for more than ten years, said: "The local Labour Party's hostility to a yes vote represents a major credibility gap to a successful candidature.
"I have consistently argued for an elected mayor who will be personally and directly accountable to the townspeople."
The Labour Party is expected to decide its candidate before Christmas and the election is likely to be in May.
Sitting councillors Russell Hart and Moss Boddy have already declared that they will stand for the Labour Party nomination.
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