Heidi Alexander has stepped down as MP for Lewisham East to take up a role working with Sadiq Khan at City Hall.

Following the local elections on May 3, in which Labour swept Lewisham winning the entire council and the Mayor position, Heidi today (May 8) announced her departure.

The Labour MP will take up the role as deputy mayor for transport with Mayor Khan saying she “knows this city inside-out”.

In a statement the Mayor said: “I’m delighted that Heidi Alexander has agreed to become our new deputy mayor for transport.

“Heidi knows this city inside-out, and her work both as shadow health secretary and campaigning over the best Brexit deal has demonstrated the terrific job she will do as part of my team standing up for London.

“Heidi is respected across the political divide as a parliamentarian and campaigner, and Londoners can be confident she will ensure we deliver our ambitious plans to transform London’s transport network over the coming years.”

Heidi had been MP for Lewisham East since 2010 and was re-elected at both the 2015 and 2017 general elections.

She wrote on Twitter: "This is a huge job with a massive impact on the life, health and economy of London. I will be leaving Parliament after eight incredible years.

"It has been a genuine privilege to represent the communities of Lewisham, Blackheath, Lee, Hither Green, Catford, Grove Park and Downham in Westminster. I have met many brilliant people and made some wonderful friends."

She quit as shadow health secretary in 2016 during a string of resignations following disagreements over Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

She will be taking over from the long-serving deputy Mayor Val Shawcross, who is set to retire this summer.