LIVINGSTONE MUST APOLOGISE FOR 'INAPPROPRIATE, INSENSITIVE AND INDEFENSIBLE' COMMENTS

1.20.57pm GMT Fri 11th Feb 2005

Ahead of the motion that is set to appear in front of the full London Assembly on Monday, calling for an apology by Ken Livingstone for the comments he made to an Evening Standard reporter, Liberal Democrat London Assembly member, and Deputy Chair, Sally Hamwee, said:

"Two weeks ago the Mayor joined in remembrance of the Holocaust and urged that we never forget its atrocity, or more recent acts of genocide. Quite rightly, every week he urges tolerance and praises diversity.

"Mr Livingstone may have been tired and emotional after the party for London's gay community, but he clearly also forgot that homosexuals were among the victims of the Nazis' concentration camps. It is inexcusable for him to argue that he was harassed enough by anyone to make comments like these. Not offering an apology compounds this.

"The event was a publicly funded celebration and the Mayor was there in his official capacity. London looks to him to behave in a way that is fitting for the figurehead for London.

"The Mayor must issue a public apology to both Mr Finegold and to London for these inappropriate, insensitive and indefensible comments."

ENDS