LABOUR has chosen the son of the Church of England's first black bishop to be its candidate in the Selhurst by-election.
David Wood, 42, is the son of Wilfred Wood, who was Bishop of Croydon from 1985 to 2003.
Mr Wood is expected to win the seat left vacant after the death last month from cancer of Gerry Ryan.
There has been some controversy and accusations of disrespect in political circles after Ukip called for the by-election before Cllr Ryan's funeral.
However, as the by-election will be held on March 5, Selhurst's Labour members were forced to make the choice between Mr Wood, Patsy Cummings and former West Thornton councillor Paul Smith this week.
Mr Wood, who has mainly worked in community engagement and relations, has lived in Selhurst ward for nine years and been a governor at Whitehorse Manor Primary School for five years.
He fought and lost in Fairfield ward, where he grew up, in the 2014 election.
He said: "I feel very honoured. It was a tough process given that Gerry is a tough act to follow. He was exactly what a councillor should be."
