UNFORTUNATE THAT LIVINGSTONE 'FINEGOLD INCIDENT' HAS GONE THIS FAR

6.30.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Aug 2005

Commenting on the statement by the Standards Board for England that London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, is to appear before the independent Adjudication Panel for England to face allegations that he failed to treat others with respect or brought his office into disrepute, after likening a reporter to a concentration camp guard, Leader of the Liberal Democrats at the London Assembly, Graham Tope, said:-

"It is unfortunate that this whole sordid sorry little episode has had to go to the Adjudication Panel for England when the Mayor could have eaten some humble pie and said sorry.

"It was inexcusable for the Mayor to make the comments in the first place, and it was indefensible that afterwards he refused to apologise for any hurt he had caused.

"It is now a case of wait and see what action the Adjudication Panel decides to take against Mr Livingstone. Whatever that censure may be, I just hope that he accepts their decision and we can get on with the job of improving the lives of Londoners."

Ends