Sophie Linden | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Mayor of London for Policing and Crime | |
| In office 9 May 2016 – 7 October 2024 | |
| Mayor | Sadiq Khan |
| Commissioner | Bernard Hogan Howe Cressida Dick Stephen House (Acting) Mark Rowley |
| Preceded by | Stephen Greenhalgh |
| Succeeded by | Kaya Comer-Schwartz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1970-02-27)27 February 1970 (age 55) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Labour |
| Education | Emmanuel College, Cambridge |
| Alma mater | Emmanuel College |
| Profession | Politician |
Sophie Linden (born 27 February 1970) is a British politician, who is currently a senior advisor to theLord Chancellor andSecretary of State for JusticeShabana Mahmood. Linden was previouslyDeputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in London from 2016 until 2024. She is a member of theLabour Party.
Linden was educated atEmmanuel College, Cambridge from 1989 to 1992.[1]
Linden's entire career has been spent in politics. From 1992 to 1997, she was a researcher forDavid BlunkettMP.[2][3] Following the Labour victory at the1997 general election, she became aSpecial Adviser to Blunkett when he wasSecretary of State for Education and Employment.[4] She was in the role from 1997 to 2001, following Blunkett as Special Adviser when he was appointedHome Secretary.
Linden moved to become a Labourcouncillor within theLondon Borough of Hackney, for the Dalston Ward, from 4 May 2006 to 10 June 2016.[5] During this period, she worked forBell Pottinger political communications, and unsuccessfully sought selection as Labour'sProspective parliamentary candidate forHampstead and Kilburn prior to the2015 general election.[2] In 2016, she was appointed by the newMayor of LondonSadiq Khan to be theDeputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.[6]
On 7 October 2024, Linden resigned as Deputy Mayor to become a senior adviser toLord Chancellor andSecretary of State for JusticeShabana Mahmood.[7] She was replaced by leader ofIslington London Borough CouncilKaya Comer-Schwartz.[8]