Journalists who formed their own local group inspired by the Westminster lobby are hoping to build on their launch after holding a first “huddle” with the politicians they cover.

Reporters covering the Mayor of London and Greater London Authority announced the formation of City Hall Journalists in July, with the aim of working more closely together to shine a light on the capital’s devolved politics.

Now, the group has held its first informal meeting with the GLA’s Conservative group, with other party groups “keen” to arrange similar briefings.

Among those attending the “huddle” were MyLondon City Hall editor Josian Mortimer, London World senior reporter Jessica Frank-Keyes and BBC local democracy reporter Joe Talora, who is based at the Evening Standard. A number of PA journalism students also took part in the briefing.

City Hall Journalists members meet Tory officials at the “huddle”

Josiah told HTFP: “Thursday’s first lobby huddle in City Hall was a really useful proof of concept and we hope to make it a regular occurrence.

“Encouragingly, the other party groups are keen to take part. The lobby shed some extra light into the Conservatives’ approach on the Assembly, and it’s also a new mechanism to hold London’s Assembly Members to account.

“I hope that in the coming months we can build on it to improve scrutiny and Londoners’ understanding of the GLA and the big issues on the agenda in the capital’s devolved politics.

“City Hall Journalists is proving to be a great way of using our collective sway as reporters to boost transparency and get the answers Londoners are looking for.”

Susan Hall AM, leader of the GLA Conservatives, said: “Journalists play a crucial role holding the Mayor and the London Assembly to account, and the new City Hall lobby is a welcome addition that is already improving openness and scrutiny.

“We are pleased to be launching the Conservative group lobby briefing, the first from a London Assembly party, and look forward to inviting questions from journalists in City Hall and beyond.”