The mother of an autistic child has received compensation and an apology from Hackney Council for lack of support.

Five years ago, Maxine Jones told the council that her son Daniel's school, Simon Marks Jewish Primary, could not provide the care he needed.

The governors' chair of Hackney's Simon Marks Jewish Primary believes new head Gill Ross "can take it to the next level of achievement".

Howard Pallis was delighted by the appointment of Ms Ross, 55, who will take charge in September following the retirement of Norma Blair.

The East London council of Tower Hamlets has voted to "do everything in its power" to support a boycott of "the pariah state" of Israel.

Councillors also called for a review of the borough's £15 million contract with multinational Veolia for waste collection because of the company's work in Israel.

But a council spokesman said that any decision to cut ties with Veolia would rest with Mayor Lutfur Rahman or his cabinet.

The original motion, proposed by Respect councillors Harun Miah and Fozol Miah, had urged the council to "terminate" all contracts with Veolia.