A NEW group leader has been selected by the Waltham Forest Liberal Democrats to replace John Macklin, who lost his seat at the local elections.

Last night, the Lib Dems elected long-serving Leyton councillor Bob Sullivan.

Cllr Winnie Smith was elected as the new deputy leader and Cllr Farooq Qureshi will serve as Whip.

Cllr Sullivan said: “The Liberal Democrat Group has an important job to do on the council and in the local community. Between them our members have enormous experience and determination. We will hold the Labour administration to account and continue to work hard for the local community.”

Cllr Sullivan, who was first elected to Waltham Forest Council in 1981, said priorities for the Lib Dems include action on issues like the EMD Cinema, Arcade site and Walthamstow Stadium, and pressing for a fair allocation of Olympic spending across the borough.

Cllr Sullivan replaces former leader and deputy of the council, John Macklin, who stood against the Lib Dems in the local elections after being deselected as candidates following a row in the group.

John Macklin, Bob Carey and Bob Belam, who were all deselected by the local party in the weeks running up to the election, failed to retain their seats in Chapel End ward.