Islington's new housing chief has vowed to fight the government’s controversial housing reforms, raise standards for private tenants and improve the Town Hall housing repair service.

Diarmaid Ward, Labour councillor for Holloway, is quitting his job as a criminal defence solicitor to take over the brief from James Murray, who joined the new ­London Mayor Sadiq Khan at City Hall as deputy mayor for ­housing last week.

“I’m very excited. I know I’ve got big shoes to fill but relish the ­challenge and will want to carry on the great work James has done,” Cllr Ward, 36, told the Tribune.

“I want to continue to fight for a better deal on the Housing Act and to do what we can to mitigate its effects. Secondly, to fight for a better deal for people in private rented accommodation, as almost a third of all residents are now private renters, and I want to make sure that our repair service is even better.”

Council leader Richard Watts added: “Diarmaid will be a fantastic ­member of the council’s executive.”

Mr Murray was formally installed as City Hall housing chief last week, taking on responsibility for advising Mr Khan on housing. As this is a non-political role, he had to resign his post as Barnsbury ward Labour councillor, triggering a by-election.

The by-election in the ward, which, like most of Islington is a Labour stronghold, will be held on July 14.

• Keywords
  HOUSING, PRIVATE TENANTS, HOUSING IMPROVEMENT
• Geographical keyword
  ISLINGTON (LONDON BOROUGH)
• Persons keyword
  Diarmaid Ward, James Murray, Richard Watts