Hammersmith and Fulham LBC has appointed an interim chief executive while current chief Kim Smith is on extended leave.

Sharon Lea, Hammersmith and Fulham's strategic director for environment, was appointed as the acting interim chief executive from 25 February, a spokesperson for the council has confirmed.

A decision was made at a council meeting last week, to ensure there is a returning officer in place for the local elections in May.

Ms Smith – who was previously known as Kim Dero – was appointed as the council's chief executive in 2017 after 20 years with the council.

Last year an employment tribunal found she had conspired with other senior members of staff to change the date of a dismissal letter to make it look like it was signed before a grievance procedure was launched against the council.

Former director of public service reform, Rachael Wright-Turner, won her tribunal claim.

While the council originally said it ‘fundamentally disagreed' with the findings of the tribunal it did not submit an appeal before the deadline.