The Home Secretary Priti Patel has today announced plans to change how the London mayor. 

She proposed a switch from the supplementary vote system currently in place to “first past the post” (FPP) as of 2024. 

Ms Patel said FPP, which is used for electing MPs, would give “strong and clear local accountability” to mayoral contests and would honour a Conservative manifesto commitment to drop more complex election methods.

A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan has said that the current system is “fairer” and a referendum should be held before any changes come into effect. 

Green Party peer Jenny Jones, a former mayoral candidate, called the proposals “a terrible idea”.

Pride in London apologises after racism claims

Pride in London has apologised after its most senior black member accused the organisation of lacking diversity.

Rhammel Afflick said the organisation was “failing black and brown voices in LGBT+ communities”.

The 26-year-old resigned as director of communications last month after seven years with the group.

The group, which organises the Pride march, said “we know we must do better to serve the communities we represent”.

London over 60s covid cases down

Figures revealed today show that Covid cases among Londoners aged over 60 have tumbled dramatically since the winter lockdown was introduced alongside a government vaccination scheme. 

Yesterday, just one death was recorded in the capital of a person who tested positive for the Covid virus. 

The seven-day Covid rate for the city dipped below 40 confirmed new infections per 100,000 Londoners in the week to March 11. 

There is now a marked and growing difference between older people, many of who have been vaccinated and younger individuals. 

Man arrested over the death of Stuart Lubbock

A 50-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the assault and murder of Stuart Lubbock 20 years ago at the home of the entertainer Michael Barrymore.

Police said the unidentified man was arrested in Cheshire and is being questioned in custody.

Mr Lubbock, 31, who had been attending the party at Barrymore’s home with eight other people, was found dead in Barrymore’s pool in Roydon in March 2001.

A post-mortem showed he suffered severe injuries caused by sexual assault prior to the death.

Alcohol, ecstacy and cocaine were found in his bloodstream.