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The mother of a nine-year-old girl who died of an asthma attack today called for the Mayor’s forthcoming vehicle pollution levy to be extended across Greater London.

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah said stronger action was needed to tackle illegal levels of toxic air, which she blames for the death of her daughter Ella Kissi-Debrah in 2013.

She has been selected as a Green Party candidate for next year’s London Assembly elections and says being elected would give her campaigning “more clout”.

Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah told the Standard: “I want to improve local knowledge of asthma and its effects. A seat on the assembly will give me more clout when it comes to cleaning up the air. If Ella hadn’t died I would not have been in this situation, but it’s not just about her. Ten to 15 per cent of children have asthma.”

Sadiq Khan is introducing an ultra low emission zone (Ulez) in central London from April 8, expanding to the North and South Circular roads by October 2021. Vehicles breaching emission targets will have to pay £12.50 a day.

Ella lived 80ft from the South Circular in Hither Green. She died after three years of seizures and 27 visits to hospital. An expert last year linked her death to spikes in nitrogen dioxide and PM10 particulates that breached legal limits.

Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah said the Ulez should be London-wide and cover all 33 boroughs and added: “I know people are going to complain, but there is no easy solution, diesel is damaging people’s health. It’s irresponsible.

“If we do nothing, it’s not going to go away. We have over 205,000 children in London with an asthma diagnosis. As long as cars are cheaper to run than public transport, we are always going to have these problems. Diesel is going to have to go. A target of 2040 to ban petrol and diesel cars is not acceptable.”

Earlier this month her bid for a fresh inquest into Ella’s death received a major boost when Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said the High Court should consider the application.

She is being supported by London law firm Hodge Jones & Allen and aims to raise £25,000 via crowdfunding to bring the case.

Previously sixth form head at Blackheath Bluecoat School, she is also the Greens’ provisional parliamentary candidate for Lewisham East. With the assembly she hopes to be on the Greens’ top-up “list”, giving her a better chance of being elected.

The party’s 8,000 London members will decide on February 14 whether to add her to it.