The leader of Brent Council has been nominated for a national award that celebrates those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Cllr Muhammed Butt is on the ten-person shortlist of ‘political figures’ for the 2019 Ethnicity Awards.

He is one of only two councillors – alongside Liverpool representative Cllr Anna Rothery – up for the accolade.

MPs David Lammy, Marsha De Cordova, Rosena Allin-Khan have also been nominated, along with Lord Waheed Ali, Baroness Valerie Amos and Lord Tariq Mahmood Ahmad.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, make up the list.

Cllr Butt said: “It is a humbling experience to be nominated alongside some of my own political heroes. To be selected for doing the job that I live and breathe for, is an enduring privilege.

“From dawn to dusk, I’m immensely proud to represent Brent and all our diverse communities; fighting to create a borough and city which works for the many and not the few.”

The awards were created in 2018 to recognise “those working to ensure that all people are afforded equal opportunity, regardless of race or ethnicity”.

Last year’s political winner was shadow home secretary Diane Abbott.

The judges who compiled this year’s shortlist noted that Cllr Butt has used his platform to “speak out against government cuts”.

They added that he has been a keen fundraiser, working with charities to support Brent’s most vulnerable families.

The programme covers various categories, with actor Dev Patel, grime artist Stormzy and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, among those up for awards.

Voting for the awards is open until September 6. The winners are announced at a central London ceremony on October 25.