The leader of Lambeth Council has “vehemently denied” allegations of sexual harassment and unwanted touching, according to a report in The Guardian on May 16. The story revealed that leader Cllr Jack Hopkins is being investigated by Labour for the allegations, which it says were made to the party by a woman in March this year. The news came a week after Cllr Hopkins announced he was stepping down as leader. In a move that was a shock to many, Lambeth Council released a statement on May 10 in which the councillor said he believed it was time to “hand over the reins to a new leader” as the “roadmap out of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions progresses”.
The leader of Lambeth Council has stepped down after just over two years. In a statement on May 10 Labour Councillor Jack Hopkins did not say why he made the decision to quit as leader, but said “I know I will leave the council in safe hands”. A new leader will be elected at a future council meeting, with details yet to be confirmed. Cllr Hopkins was first elected as a councillor in Oval Ward in 2010 and has served in the cabinet since 2012, holding various roles responsible for community safety and neighbourhoods, economic development, regeneration, planning and employment and skills. He became leader of the council in February, 2019.