‘Voice of reason’: London Fields councillor Lee Laudat-Scott appointed Deputy Speaker

New Deputy Speaker Lee Laudat-Scott. Photograph: Hackney Council

Labour councillor Lee Laudat-Scott has been named as the new Deputy Speaker of Hackney Council.

Laudat-Scott is a London Fields councillor and for the next year will act as second-in-command to new Speaker Sheila Suso-Runge.

Former Deputy Speaker Anntoinette Bramble nominated Laudat-Scott, and told Suso-Runge at last week’s annual general meeting that he “will be an advocate, an ally, a strong teller, a voice of reason and will stand by you by thick and thin”.

Laudat-Scott sits on the children and young people’s scrutiny commission. Bramble praised his “forward-thinking” attitude to the commission role, and said “he has a real passion for children and young people, and the work he does with our schools is absolutely phenomenal”.

Laudat-Scott was also nominated by Cllr Clare Potter, who said that he “knows how the role works” and that he can “deputise effectively – from celebrating our diverse communities, to the pearly kings and queens, walking proudly with staff at pride and even running the 5k”.

“I am truly grateful to be given the opportunity to serve as Deputy Speaker,” said Laudat-Scott after he was sworn in.

“I was born and raised in Hackney, and I’m so proud of the diversity we see every day in the borough” he continued.

“As someone from a mixed-heritage background and someone that’s faced many challenges in life, it is a great honour to represent the people of hackney as the Deputy Speaker over the next year.”

He vowed to “serve this wonderful borough to the best of my abilities”.

Speaker Suso-Rouge said Laudat-Scott will be a “great partner”.