Luton mayor formally appointed in first ever virtual ceremony

Maria Lovell said she was "deeply honoured" to take on the role of mayor of Luton

The new mayor of Luton has made history by being the first to be formally appointed in a virtual online ceremony.

Maria Lovell was sworn in on Tuesday in a ceremony that took place online due to coronavirus restrictions.

She had been deputy mayor when former mayor Tahir Malik resigned from the position after breaking social distancing rules during lockdown.

Ms Lovell said she wanted to "bring all communities and faiths together in these challenging times".

"I am deeply honoured to step into this new role as Mayor of Luton, becoming the first black person of African descent and female to do so," the mother-of-three said.

"I aim to continue to bring all communities and faiths together especially in these challenging times to heal, restore and promote our town.

"It is time to re-educate and re-emerge a new history of inclusiveness in our diversity to build on for the future of our town."

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Ms Lovell was appointed deputy mayor of Luton in June 2019, but stepped up to the role of mayor following Mr Malik's resignation, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The new mayor is a Labour councillor for Luton Borough Council's Leagrave ward and is also the chief executive of The Ghana Society UK.