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My 10am tots are medicinal, says whisky-swilling Ken Livingstone
Last updated at 15:22pm on 23.01.08
Dispatched: Livingstone sips
The former Labour MP, who is now London mayor, excused his habit by claiming it was a tonic for bronchitis.
Mr Livingstone's disclosure about his early-morning drinking came after a TV documentary team snatched a sample of the liquid he drank while being quizzed by members of the assembly.
Scientific analysis showed it was 47 per cent alcohol.
The controversial politician has spent weeks trying to discredit the Channel 4 report and, at the eleventh hour, attempted to get the highly-critical Dispatches programme about his mayoral tenure banned.
In the end, it was screened on Monday evening.
Mr Livingstone was forced to admit he was indeed drinking alcohol in the film. But he insisted he used it "as an anaesthetic" in winter months to help his chest problems.
Speaking at a press conference, the mayor compared his drinking to the Parliamentary tradition of the chancellor of the exchequer sipping a whisky as he delivers his annual Budget.
"I tend to suffer from mild bronchitis through much of the winter," he said.
"If I have to talk for two and a half hours and through the mindnumbing tedium of questioning my members of the assembly you will hear my voice start to go.
"At that point I will pick up that tumbler of whisky and I have a sip. It then stops. The only way I can get through talking for two and a half hours with a severe cough or bronchitis is to use alcohol as an anaesthetic."
Referring to Winston Churchill's love of alcohol, he added: "I don't think I have ever reached Winston Churchill's level and as it didn't impair him in the destruction of the greatest evil facing humanity, it won't impede with my continuing to lead Londoners."
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Olympic Ken: The Mayor of London claims whisky helps him with speeches
Last night Conservative London Assembly member Richard Barnes hit back, saying: "Funny, but this so-called mild bronchitis that strikes in winter never seems to be cured in May, June or July either."
The British Lung Foundation said there was no scientific proof that whisky did help with bronchitis.
But chairman Keith Prowse said: "Many people swear by a hot toddy with whisky as a home remedy for colds and chest problems.
"There's a general belief that whisky has a medicinal effect on colds and chest problems although there's no scientific proof that that's the case".
The Dispatches investigation was a damning indictment of Mr Livingstone's seven years in office.
Reader views (18)
Is he saying that it is acceptable for all staff he is responsible for, to bring in Whiskey to work and drink it at 10am if they have chest problems?
- Steve, London
This man is responsible to his electors and their representatives. To treat the democratic process with such contempt as illustrated by comments such as, "...through the mindnumbing tedium of questioning by members of the assembly..." is beyond belief. It is no surprise he holds such autocrats as Castro and Chavez in such high regard.
- David Williams, Surbiton, Surrey
If my employees drank at work they would soon be ex-employees. As their employer, if I drank at work I wouldn't blame them if they lost respect for me and found alternative employment. Why does Ken think he is so different? Maybe he thinks he should swap his chain of office for a crown instead. That would complete his ego-trip.
- Dan, Manchester
When is he fired?
- Jayo, London,
So all the irrational policies that he is bringing is down to the fact that he is drinking on duty at work. No other employer would stand for it.
- Graham, Reading, England
If I were a London Assembly member, I think I would be somewhat offended by Ken's arrogant statement that he has to resort to a snifter to get through the "mindnumbing tedium" of question time. I thought that was part of the democratic process to maintain accountability.
- Matt, london
There's nothing wrong with starting the day with a snifter.
I suppose the mayor can afford single malt whereas paupers like me have to manage with the cheapo £7.99 blend from tesco.
Tfl employees are engaged in employment where even partial inebriation could carry adverse impacts. hence the strict policy. Whereas whether the mayor is drunk or sober makes no difference to anyone.
If the public don't like it, then the remedy is in their hands at the next election.
- Seb, london
"claiming it was a tonic for bronchitis."
Excellent, will we be seeing single malt on prescription in the near future, I'd love to be able to get my Lophroaig for £6.75.
- A Boozer, London
So are those who work for the GLC or whatever its called allowed to do the same? Try telling the same excuse to your boss when you take a wee dram with your morning coffee.
- Blind Pugh, Addlestone, UK
I wondered how long it would take for the odious Ken to invoke the memory of Winston Churchill and his fondness for a drink. I think we are all capable of drawing our own comparisons, thanks very much, Mr Livingstone.
- Sophie, Cambridge
I for one have never seen or heard of a drunk socialist ..ever , anyone from Russia will agree.
- Hillary, Washington
Amazing. He has a little cough and cures it with an alcoholic drink. If I did that, I would be sacked. I am sure that the rules of Ken's quango are that drinking on duty is a not allowed, so he should either kick his habit or else look for another job.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one
Drinking alcohol while on the job is explicity prohibited for members of the GLA in their employment contract - but of course, the rules don't apply to Ken.
- Paul, London
What a waste that man.
- Georgie, London
TfL have a strict no alcohol policy, and staff have been sacked for having unopened alcohol on them. What gives him the right to be above TfL rules?
- Bob, London
Yeah right. We got rid of this "person" once when County Hall and the GLC was disbanded - we should never have allowed him back into the political arena.
- Minime, South East England
Ken thinks we are all fools...
- Johno, London
And I always thought that Ken's irritating nasal drawl was the natural way he spoke.
- Marc, Harrow, UK
