Political tensions flared up last night during Harrow Borough Council’s annual Mayor making ceremony.

Councillor Nana Asante was sworn at a ceremony in at the civic centre yesterday evening, making her Harrow’s first Ghanaian Mayor.

The member of the new Independent Labour group said: “Thank you all for appointing me mayor. It is fair to say we live in interesting times, and as usual Harrow leads the way.

“I am looking forward to getting started on an exciting mayoral year representing the people of this borough.”

Cllr Asante revealed she will be starting a creative English initiative in all schools in the borough during her time in office.

The event also marked the end of a year in office of Cllr Nizam Ismail who was praised by councillors for his work over the last year.

He said: “Thank you all for the support you have given me during my time in office.

“It has been a fantastic year and it has been a pleasure to meet so many in the borough and serve the people of Harrow.”

During his speech he revealed he had attended 642 different engagements throughout the year and raised nearly £20,000 for his chosen charity Age UK Harrow.

Thanking the former mayor for his service, Cllr Zarina Khalid said: “It has been a pleasure going with you to numerous events in the borough.

“You should be proud of all the work you have done to help people in Harrow and thank you for being such a wonderful mayor.”

However tensions among councillors came to the surface as leader of the Labour group David Perry attempted to read out a statement to the full council, announcing the group would not be taking part in the evening's meeting.

He was stopped from making a full statement by outgoing mayor Nizam Ismail.

Speaking at the meeting to the Harrow Times councillor Perry said: “It just shows the lack of democracy from the new Conservative-backed administration.

“The seizure of power of the Independent Labour group is against the will of voters and this shows they are not willing to hear any democratic input.”

At the end of the ceremony nearly the entire Labour group refused to stand for the new mayor as she left the council chamber.