Greenwich Council's new leader has chosen her cabinet - with a surprise choice to take on the borough's biggest portfolio.

Denise Hyland named her cabinet members at a lively Labour meeting last night (June 2) where there were simmering tensions over some of Greenwich's big regeneration projects.

And the selection of Councillor Danny Thorpe to take on the challenging cabinet member for regeneration post has raised some eyebrows.

Coun Thorpe was previously best known for disappearing on a controversial six-month trip to Australia in 2008 despite being an elected councillor

Elsewhere in the cabinet, Chris Kirby will take charge of housing while Miranda Williams will be cabinet member for cultural and creative industries.

Jackie Smith - who ran for leader against Coun Hyland - takes on community safety, with Maureen O'Mara handed a public health role.