A Camden Labour councillor has resigned with a "heavy heart" to go seek his fortunes in America.

Cllr Will Prince was elected to South Hampstead ward in 2022 and in less than a year he is triggering a by-election for his seat.

In a statement the Labour councillor said he was yet to formalise his resignation which he would do this week.

"It is with a heavy heart that I am resigning as a local councillor," he said.

"I am moving away from the UK for the next chapter of my job and, as a result, I will no longer be able to fullfil my duties to the residents of South Hampstead."

He told the Ham&High he is stopping "immediately" but ensuring "any ongoing casework is resolved or delegated to a colleague".

He added: "During my time in office I strived to serve the residents of South Hampstead to the best of my ability.

"Whether supporting residents on the ground during the flooding last December on Belsize Road and assisting those whose lives were turned upside down overnight, or through raising concerns about the 02 centre development from my position on the planning committee, I have always tried to put the needs of the community first."

Last May Cllr Prince was among three Labour councillors to win in South Hampstead, along with Izzy Lenga and Nina de Ayala Parker, who he said
were "fantastic champions" for the ward.

A by-election could shake things up for Labour ward, previously known as Swiss Cottage and until 2018 held by the Tories. 

Many residents felt their voices were not heard in regards to the 02 Centre redevelopment and may use it to add some opposition into the council chamber.

Cllr Prince is the second councillor in the Labour Party to step down less than a year into the four-year term.

Adrian Cohen was the first Labour councillor to win Hampstead Town ward in the party's history following a Tory revolt while Boris Johnson was prime minister.

He stood down after only three weeks in office.

Cllr Linda Chung won the resulting by-election for the Liberal Democrats.

The Labour Party now has 45 seats, the Liberal Democrats have five, Conservatives three and Green Party one seat.

However Cllr Prince issued a warning. "With a Tory-made-cost of living crisis making life difficult for so many residents, it is more important than ever for local councillors to do all they can to support everyone struggling to make ends meet.

"With this in mind, I sincerely hope my successor gives their all in standing up for South Hampstead and I'll be working hard to elect
a Labour councillor who will be on the side of residents in tough times."

Camden Council said a date for a by-election will be set after it has received Cllr Prince's formal resignation.