Boris to Asian host: I'll 'out-ethnic' you

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The Tory candidate made the remarks as he came under pressure for referring to black children as "picaninnies" in the past. He listed his own origins to try to prove racism was "not in his heart" and win over ethnic minority voters.

In the BBC Asian Network debate, Mr Johnson said: "Almost 100 years ago my Turkish great-great grandfather came to London and I'm very proud of that." Presenter Nihal Arthanayake asked: "What part of your Turkish culture do you maintain?"

BJ: A lively ... interest in Turkey.

NA: How often do you go and see your family?

BJ: It turns out I've got plenty of Turkish cousins living and working in London.

NA: Did you just find out when you needed it to get the ethnic vote?

BJ: I'm happy to say that lots of Turkish relations have been coming and going in our family for a long time.

NA: Are you down with the ethnics?

BJ: I'm down with the ethnics. You can't out-ethnic me Nihal.

NA: How many bhangra gigs have you been to over the last few years?

BJ: I can't remember. But my children are a quarter Indian so put that in your pipe and smoke it.

NA: Okay, let's not try to out-brown each other.

Afterwards, Lib-Dem candidate Brian Paddick said: "Sitting next to an Asian presenter and saying he can 'out-ethnic' anyone just shows how stupid an intelligent man can be."

Mr Johnson's spokesman said: "Boris pointed out, in a tongue-in-cheek way, that he is the perfect embodiment of the ethnically diverse melting pot that makes London the world's greatest city."

Ken Livingstone was also criticised for missing half of the hour-long debate - held in a Stratford café - because he wanted to spend time with his two young children.