Philip Glanville resigns as Hackney Mayor over Eurovision party photo

Philip Glanville’s last day in office is 22 September. Photograph: Hackney Council

Philip Glanville has resigned as Mayor of Hackney, he has announced.

Glanville wrote to the council’s acting chief executive Dawn Carter-McDonald today to tender his resignation.

The borough leader was suspended by Labour when a photograph emerged of him at a Eurovision party with disgraced former councillor Tom Dewey on 14 May 2022 – just hours after he was told that Dewey had been arrested the month before.

The mayor had previously said he did not see Dewey after learning of the arrest.

Last month, Dewey was given a one-year suspended sentence after admitting possession of 1,850 indecent images of children.

Around 50 local residents staged a protest last week calling on Glanville to quit.

The Hackney Green party also tabled a motion of no confidence in him.

In his resignation letter, Glanville wrote: “I had my trust betrayed, but in turn I made an error of judgement and was not as transparent as I should have been. For that I accept full responsibility.”

“Politics is never easy, but it has been a privilege to work with, and for, some of the very best of local government for the best part of 17 years,” he added.

He said it was not for him to judge his record in local government.

He continued: “My final message as mayor is to the amazing people of Hackney – you and the organisations and businesses here are at the heart of why I chose to make Hackney my home and why this role meant so much to me: keep standing up for your open, diverse values; keep challenging those who put themselves forward to lead and keep making this the very best borough in London.”

The resignation will trigger a mayoral election.

Green councillor Zoë Garbett said: “It is right that the Mayor of Hackney has resigned – recognising his error of judgement and lack of transparency.

Hackney’s acting chief executive Dawn Carter-McDonald said: “The mayor’s last day of office will be Friday 22 September 2023.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing mayor for his seven years of service as mayor and the 17 years he has given to the borough and its residents as an elected politician.

“In line with the council’s constitution, the statutory deputy mayor, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, will continue to act in the mayor’s place for as long as necessary.

“A mayoral election is likely to take place in the coming weeks.”