Greenwich Council has started eviction proceedings against one of its tenants convicted for their part in August's riots.

The policy has proved controversial, with a branch of the Greenwich Labour group debating it at a meeting last month.

But the council says its policy is not political and is already covered by existing powers.

Leader of Greenwich Council Councillor Chris Roberts said: "In accordance with policy, the council has commenced the first step and issued a notice to seek possession against an individual tenant who pleaded guilty to offences committed on the evening of August 8.

“The individual concerned is now serving a custodial sentence and the property is therefore unoccupied.

"If the courts awarded possession of this property, it will then become available for letting to one of the 12,000 applicants presently on the council's waiting list.”

After the riots, Cllr Roberts had said: "We shall seek the eviction of anyone living in council property if they are found to have been engaged in criminal acts."