Bexley council leader Ian Clement has resigned his post to become the deputy Mayor of London.

He was offered the position by the new Mayor Boris Johnson, and will be responsible for government relations in the UK and in other countries.

However, the post does not allow him to continue as a councillor and he resigned his post, which he had held for two years, yesterday.

He said: "Bexley has been my life for the past 10 years. The decision to leave was a very difficult one, but I believe you can only do one job really well.

"I feel very honoured and proud to have served as leader of the council and can honestly say that I have enjoyed every minute of the job.

"I am very pleased that the Mayor has invited me to join his team and I am now looking forward to my new role.

"I am sad to be leaving Bexley and the friends and colleagues I have worked with for the past ten years, but I will continue to live in the borough."

He was first elected as a member of the council in 1998 and was leader of the opposition from 2003 to 2003.

He has also been a lead member for Crime and Public Protection on the Executive of London Councils since 2006.

Deputy leader Cllr Theresa O’Neill will be acting in the role until a new leader is appointed at the annual meeting of the council on Wednesday, May 14.