The Green Party has elected Oxford City Councillor Craig Simmons as its new leader.

Mr Simmons, the outgoing deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford, was unanimously elected at the party’s meeting last week – the first since the General Election.

He replaces fellow city councillor Sam Hollick, who has decided to step down.

The deputy leader position is to be filled by city councillor Ruthi Brandt who was also unanimously supported at the selection meeting. Ms Brandt was elected for the Oxford City Council last year, after years of campaigning on environmental and social justice issues in various forms.