Newcastle has named its new lord mayor, with Byker councillor Veronica Dunn becoming the city’s first citizen after a “lifetime of commitment”.
The east end native was appointed to Newcastle’s highest ceremonial position on Wednesday afternoon, succeeding Karen Robinson in the role. Coun Dunn worked for the city council from 1970 until 2004, first in finance and then in education, and became a vocal figure in the trade union movement in that time – rising to become president of Unison in 2001.
The Labour councillor was first elected to the local authority in 2007 and has also served in its cabinet. Newcastle City Council leader Nick Kemp told colleagues on Wednesday that his close friend was a "fiercely proud person and fiercely loyal to her friends, family, her convictions, and her city”.
