THE last thing new deputy mayor of Croydon, Patricia Hay-Justice could have dreamt of was for her first official duty to emanate from a request from her husband.
This is just what happened when on Monday Councillor Hay-Justice found herself launching Carers' Week at the Carers Support Centre in George Street, Croydon.
Cllr Hay-Justice said: "It was a bizarre situation. During my first meeting with the Mayoral team we begun to review those appointments that Madam Mayor was unable to accept.
"The first letter was from Mark Justice of Croydon Neighbourhood Care Association. I was aghast and exclaimed that as much I support the cause, I could not carry out that appointment."
When she was asked to explain why, she pointed out that the request came from her husband.
But any potential problems were defused by the Mayor's staff who explained the request came in January, before anyone knew the outcome of last month's elections and who the Mayor and deputy mayor would be.
