A Hackney councillor has been forced to step down from his position due to ill-health less than six months after being elected.

Alex Kuye, who won 1,709 votes in Victoria ward at the May election, will now vacate the seat.

A spokesperson for the Hackney Labour group said Alex had shown great courage in the face of a serious illness.

They added: “We are very sorry to see Alex go after such a short time in office.

“However, we agreed with him that he would find it impossible to manage his role effectively as a councillor and cope with his illness, and have accepted his wishes to resign.”

Alex, who has also served as a member of the Lonfon Young Labour BAME Network, was elected alongside returning councillor Katie Hanson and fellow newcomer Clare Joseph in May.

It came after Cllr Geoff Taylor stepped down after 16 years.

A by-election will now be scheduled, although no further details are known at this stage as to when it will be.