The leader of Southwark Council will stay in his role past the date he was due to resign amid the Coronavirus outbreak.  

Councillor Peter John announced he was stepping down as leader after ten years during a council assembly meeting in February.  

But he tweeted on Tuesday (March 17) that he has agreed to stay on “given the unprecedented challenge” of Covid-19.  

“Given the unprecedented challenge of the Covid-19 crisis I have agreed to stay in post as leader of Southwark and chair of London Councils beyond March 25, and to help my successors to ensure our plans are robust and working and our communities safe,” he said.  

It is not yet known who will replace Cllr John, who received a standing ovation after his announcement in Feburary during which he said he was “incredibly proud” of a “decade of delivery”.   

At the time he said: “I have concluded in recent times that it’s time for me to move on and let a new generation lead this council in the next decade.   

“Tonight I’m announcing that I will resign as council leader on March 25.   

“A new council leader will be elected on that date and it’s a new council leader who I’m sure will take this administration to even greater heights and make Southwark an even greater borough than it is already.”  

Southwark Council postponed its climate emergency community conference last week and is currently reviewing its schedule to decide whether other meetings should go ahead during the health crisis.