Redmond O'Neill

Born in London to an Irish family from County Tipperary, O'Neill studied at Sussex University, where he joined the Trotskyist International Marxist Group (IMG).

[2] In 1987, O'Neill met Labour Party hard left politician Ken Livingstone, and subsequently became his main advisor on Irish issues.

He launched a major celebration of St Patrick's Day in London in 2002,[1] took the lead on congestion charging,[2] and developed links with Hugo Chavez, exchanging transport expertise for cheap fuel.

[3] O'Neill's role in Socialist Action was widely reported in the press in advance of the 2008 London mayoral election, with the Sunday Times describing allegations that the group remained active as suggesting "Marxist infiltration".

[6] Ma Hui, deputy head of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party referred to his efforts "to promote and encourage better understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation between Beijing and London".