St George's ward councillor Kat Fletcher was sworn in as mayor of Islington at a packed Town Hall meeting last night (Thursday).

Cllr Fletcher, 36, takes over from her Highbury West counterpart Richard Greening after serving as deputy mayor for a year.

She will chair council meetings and represent the council at civic and ceremonial events.

Outgoing mayor Cllr Greening spoke of his pride in representing Islington in all its diversity. “It has been a fantastic borough to be first citizen of,” he said.

He also praised Cllr Fletcher for “stepping into the breach” when he suffered a fall and she took over his duties while he recovered.

The Yorkshire woman has chosen the Ben Kinsella Trust, which fights knife crime, as her chosen charity for the coming year. “Too often in our borough young people face unacceptable levels of violence,” the new mayor said.

A former president of the National Union of Students, Cllr Fletcher played a key role in Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign for the Labour leadership, coordinating the volunteer effort. Since then she has been working at his officer and has been rarely from his side. Both Islington MPs were at last night’s meeting.

Melanie Toogood, who recently retired as vicar of St George of All Saints in Tufnell Park, will be Cllr Fletcher’s consort and Cale­donian ward Cllr Una O’Hal­loran will serve as deputy.

• Keywords
  CIVIC CEREMONIES, MAYORAL REGALIA
• Geographical keyword
  ISLINGTON (METROPOLITAN BOROUGH)
• Persons keyword
  Mayor Of Islington, Ben Kinsella Trust, Kat Fletcher, Richard Greening