Unelected figures allowed to make decisions for London - Tuffrey

9.10.00pm GMT Thu 7th Feb 2008

Speaking about this evening's extraordinary meeting, at which the Mayor was questioned over the role his political advisers play, Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats Mike Tuffrey said:

"We have had to summon the Mayor's senior advisers to appear before the Assembly. It is a shame that a man who runs a 'personal fiefdom' is unable to answer for his own office.

"The Mayor claims that his staff act on his behalf, with his stamp of approval on all their directives. And yet, when it comes down to it, he cannot answer simple questions about their actions.

"Unelected figures are allowed to make decisions for London. The Mayor was right a decade ago when he warned of the dangers of a directly elected Mayor without proper checks and balances. He is wrong now to dismiss legitimate questions and instead to smear the Assembly.

"The Mayor is not being difficult about being held to account. He is being impossible."

END

Notes to Editor

1. The Assembly has summoned Lee Jasper, John Ross and Simon Fletcher.