STROUD GREEN councillor Richard Wilson has been chosen to lead Haringey’s Liberal Democrat opposition group.

Cllr Wilson was elected to steer the Lib Dem group by his colleagues last night.

He replaces Robert Gorrie, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hornsey ward.

After his appointment, Cllr Wilson said: “I am very proud to have the opportunity to lead a strong group of Liberal Democrat councillors in Haringey that will continue to stand up for residents against Labour’s terrible stewardship of this borough. I will help us to provide a positive alternative vision of how Haringey Council could work with residents to improve the borough.”

He said he would be opposing Labour’s plans to close older people’s day services and children’s centres as well as holding the council to account over its spending.

He added: “It is an honour to step into the shoes of former leaders such as Robert Gorrie, Neil Williams and Lynne Featherstone.”

Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green and equalities minister in the coalition government, said: “Richard will be a massive asset to the council group as leader and I am delighted that we have a talented campaigner who will hold no punches in continuing to expose the poor decisions made by Haringey Labour.”

Cllr Wilson, who lives in Tottenham Lane, Hornsey, works part-time for a trade association in central London. He is also a governor at Weston Park primary school in Crouch End.

He will lead the Liberal Democrat group which has 22 representatives on the council, compared to Labour’s 34. There is also one independent.