New deputy mayor for London policing named

Kaya Comer-Schwartz is currently leader of Labour-run Islington Council

The new deputy mayor for policing, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, says she is "thrilled" to have been proposed for the role.

Comer-Schwartz, who was born and raised in Islington, was leader of the local authority for three years and previously worked in the charity sector.

She replaces Sophie Linden who is due to finish on 18 October before moving to the Ministry of Justice.

The most recent salary details for the post, released by City Hall, showed Linden earned more than £141,000 a year.

Ms Comer-Schwartz said: "From dealing with the aftermath of the Finsbury Park terror attack to empowering communities and the police to stand together following the far-right riots this summer, I am proud to have championed justice, community cohesion and public safety throughout my career.

"I am excited about the prospect of bringing my skills, knowledge and experience to the role and driving the urgent reforms needed to the police to deliver a safer and more equal London."

Sophie Linden earned more than £141,000

Her appointment is subject to a confirmation hearing by the London Assembly policing and crime committee.

Comer-Schwartz is regarded as close to Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader and MP for Islington North, who now heads the Independence Alliance group in the House of Commons.

It is understood there were some efforts to persuade her to stand for Labour against Corbyn in the recent general election - which she made clear she would never do.

She has been a councillor for 11 years and joins another former leader of Islington Richard Watts, deputy chief of staff, in the close team around mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "Kaya brings extensive experience to the role, working to make Londoners safer and improving trust and confidence in the police, which we know leads to reductions in violence and crime."