Think tank chief joins team Boris

Boris Johnson has appointed the director of a leading Tory think tank as his director of policy at City Hall.

Anthony Browne of Policy Exchange, which has been credited with providing David Cameron with some of his key policies, will play a senior political role.

The former journalist has headed the think tank since last May and will be responsible for developing new policy ideas for the Mayor.

Mr Johnson said of the appointment: "I am delighted that Anthony is joining my team at City Hall.

"As a policy expert in the fields of environment, health and politics for the influential Policy Exchange and a former journalist on the Times and Observer, I am sure Anthony will be a valuable asset in helping to shape London's future over the next four years."

However, Mr Browne's appointment is certain to cause a degree of concern among his political opponents as he is known for his strong Right-wing stance on immigration.

He first came to prominence when he was denounced by then home secretary David Blunkett for "bordering on fascism" after a series of articles on immigration.

Mr Browne has also been criticised for "demonising" Muslims in an article headlined "the Muslims are coming - there's no plot: Islam really does want to conquer the world" in The Spectator.

Former Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "Anthony Browne's extensive Rightwing track record and his divisive attacks on immigration, are an indication that Boris Johnson's administration is deeply at odds with the needs of a multicultural city like London." Mr Browne said: "The opportunity to develop policy for the first Conservative administration in London for over a quarter of a century was impossible to resist.

"I know that Policy Exchange will continue to become ever more important in the battle for policy ideas."

A recent pamphlet by the think tank entitled The Million Vote Mandate included ideas such as renegotiating the terms of the Crossrail contract and allowing local police commanders to spend money raised locally from council tax.

Mr Browne, 41, a former business analyst, has also been widely tipped for a senior policy role at Downing Street should the Tories win the next general election.