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Who said what when Ken clashed with reporter

By Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 11.02.05

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Reporter Oliver Finegold was sent with a photographer to City Hall to cover the party in honour of former Culture Secretary Chris Smith, to mark the 20th anniversary of the MP's coming out. He was outside as the party wound down and asked for a brief comment from guests, including deputy mayor Nicky Gavron, Schools Minister Stephen Twigg, Mr Smith and his partner Dorian Jabri. Shortly before 9pm, as Ken Livingstone left City Hall, Finegold asked the Mayor about the party. The conversation was recorded on a tape recorder which Finegold held out in front of him:

Mr Livingstone [talking to photographer Nigel Howard]: You've got one [picture] already. Finegold: Mr Livingstone, Evening Standard. How did tonight go? Livingstone: How awful for you. Have you thought of having treatment?

Finegold: How did tonight go? Mr Livingstone: Have you thought of having treatment?

Finegold: Was it a good party? What does it mean for you? Mr Livingstone: What did you do before? Were you a German war criminal?

Finegold: No, I'm Jewish, I wasn't a German war criminal and I'm actually quite offended by that. So, how did tonight go?

Mr Livingstone: Arr right, well you might be [Jewish], but actually you are just like a concentration camp guard, you are just doing it because you are paid to, aren't you?

Finegold: Great, I have you on record for that. So, how was tonight?

Mr Livingstone: It's nothing to do with you because your paper is a load of scumbags and reactionary bigots.

Finegold: I'm a journalist and I'm doing my job. I'm only asking for a comment.

Mr Livingstone: Well, work for a paper that doesn't have a record of supporting fascism.

At this stage, Mr Livingstone refused to comment further and Mr Finegold ended the exchange as the Mayor walked off.