Night Time Commission chairman leaves due to lack of support from City Hall
“I regret that I cannot allow my professional independence to be compromised."
Night Time Commission chairman Philip Kolvin QC has announced the departure from his role due to a lack of independence and support from London's City Hall.
Kolvin, who was appointed by Mayor Sadiq Khan a year ago, is a licensing specialist who has been widely credited with saving fabric from permanent closure.
Kolvin explains that City Hall and the Mayor's team had not given the Night Time Commission the independence it needed to carry out plans and failed to contribute adequate administrative support.
With Philip Kolvin's contract ending this week, he has chosen to not carry on his duties.
He elaborates: "I have also offered my services for free to take the project forward, if only these issues can be resolved. Sadly, they have not. In these circumstances, I have no option but to permit my contract to expire".
Khan had originally brought the expert on board to help bring his vision of a 24-hour London to life, an initiative that plans to continue despite Kolvin leaving.
City Hall has stated that a new chair for the Night Time Commission will be appointed "in due course".
[Via: Evening Standard UK]