'Lib Dems aim to scrutinise Mayor's key political advisers' - Tuffrey

3.00.00pm GMT Wed 6th Feb 2008

The London Assembly Liberal Democrats are to propose that the mayor's key political advisers appear before the Assembly following tomorrow's extraordinary meeting. Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats Mike Tuffrey said:

"I will be asking the Assembly to investigate urgently the way the Mayor's political advisers get involved in daily decision-making. We are likely to summons them and the Chief Executive to give evidence.

"If the Mayor is so confident in the workings of his staff, he should open his office up for scrutiny. Up to now, we have had to base our assumptions on whispers and 'leaked documents'.

"The Mayor of London has virtually unlimited powers and a disregard for scrutiny. It's deeply worrying that his political appointees are operating without effective controls either.

"The Mayor should stop protecting his friends by letting them hide in his shadow."

END

Notes to Editor

1. The Mayor's political appointments are as follows:

Under Section 67(1)(a) of the GLA Act

John Duffy

Lee Jasper

Under Section 67(1)(b) of the GLA Act

Simon Fletcher

Redmond O'Neill

John Ross

Neale Coleman

Murziline Parchment

Anne Harradine

Harry Barlow

Joy Johnson

The Mayor can make two further appointments under this provision.