Olympic diver Tom Daley granted Freedom of Southwark

Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley has been handed the Freedom of Southwark after a campaign by the local Liberal Democrats.

Daley, who also has a total of 11 World, European and Commonwealth golds to his name, received the accolade on Saturday.

He was nominated for his sporting achievements, advocacy of LGBTQ+ rights and work with local environmental charity Bankside Open Spaces Trust.

The party’s group leader, Cllr Victor Chamberlain, and his former Borough and Bankside ward colleagues, Adele Morris and David Noakes, made the nomination.

Southwark council granted the award at its civic awards in the borough’s cathedral.

Commenting, Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Southwark Liberal Democrat group leader who was part of the nomination campaign, said: “Tom Daley has been an inspiration to many LGBTQ+ people who have found him a role model in his championing of the community’s rights.

“Southwark is a liberal, diverse borough with a high LGBTQ+ population and we should be reflecting this in any way we can.”

Pictured top: Tom Daley (Picture: PA)