Key Boris Johnson aide quits to become one of Jeremy Corbyn's closest advisors

A key Boris Johnson aide today quit City Hall to become one of Jeremy Corbyn's closest advisors.

Neale Coleman, the mayor's Olympics advisor, played a prominent role in the controversial stadium deal with West Ham.

Mr Coleman will take up the post of Director of Policy and Rebuttal at Labour headquarters.

His appointment is seen as an attempt by 'Team Corbyn' to reverse a series of public relations blunders.

But the switch from Tory mayor to Labour leader is unlikely to be seen as a 'defection'.

Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn Credit: PA

Mr Coleman was formerly Olympics advisor to Ken Livingstone and the only member of the Labour's mayor top team to stay on at City Hall under Boris Johnson.

He will also leave his job as chairman of the mayor's London Legacy Development Corporation which runs the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Mr Coleman will join another ex-Livingstone aide, Simon Fletcher, on the Labour leader's team of backroom advisors.