Councillors have motioned for an extraordinary full council meeting to commemorate the life and work of Nelson Mandela, who has died aged 95.

Barnet Labour Group have called on the Mayor of Barnet to sanction the meeting during which they plan to call for a Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture to be heard annually during Barnet's Black History Month.

Councillor Alison Moore, leader of the Labour Group, said: “The sad news of Nelson Mandela’s death gives us all pause for thought about the values we seek to exemplify in the world.

“His inspiring fight for freedom and justice, against discrimination and hatred through a life of struggle, sacrifice and forgiveness is an example to us all.  

“As he said – it’s in our hands now to make the world a better place – and we must each find a way to continue that fight for progress and against injustice wherever we find it.”

Mr Mandela was South Africa's first black president and was an anti-apartheid icon. He also spent 27 years behind bars for his political actions.

He had been receiving medical care at his home for a lung infection before his death.

Councillor Agnes Slocombe, who met Nelson Mandela when he visited London, said: “He’s given us all food for thought and we should all learn a lesson from him.  He was inspirational with his humility and his ability to forgive - a wonderful man. 

“It hurts me to think of him living for 27 years in captivity and yet he emerged with no bitterness. I visited Robben Island, and went into the cell he was incarcerated in which was very small, and only one person could really fit in -  it’s hard to imagine how anyone could live for so long there.”