NRI elected mayor of London borough

Harshadbhai B Patel is the new mayor of the London borough that has a large minority of Indian origin.

Harshadbhai B Patel, who was elected as a councillor in Brent during three successive local council elections since 1996, has now been elected mayor of the London borough that has a large minority of Indian origin.

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Patel took over the reigns of office from Bertha Joseph at a ceremony in Wembley. He is the 43rd mayor of Brent. Earlier this week, Harjit Gill was elected mayor of Gloucester, making him the first Asian to hold the office.

Patel, a Conservative party councillor, was first elected from the Preston Ward in 1996 and has since won three elections. He has three children and his wife, Hansaben Patel, works for the post office.After being elected mayor, Patel said, "It is a great delight to become the Mayor of Brent. This borough is unique in many respects: the diversity of its citizens, the variety of languages that are spoken and the host of religions that are celebrated.

"Within Brent I am proud to say that there is real unity and the borough is a great example of how everyone can live together and prosper, both individually and as communities. With this in mind I am very much looking forward to my mayoral year ahead."