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Mayor to be investigated over Green comments
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard07.01.09
BORIS Johnson is to be formally investigated over his role in the Damian Green affair, the Evening Standard has learned.
The Mayor has been accused of prejudging the outcome of the police investigation into the Tory MP by revealing he had "a hunch" he would face no charges.
Today it is understood a sub-committee of the London Assembly's standards board decided the matter should be investigated by both the Metropolitan Police Authority and the Greater London Authority and has been referred to the respective monitoring officers.
The original complaint came from Labour Party leader Len Duvall who claimed Mr Johnson, who was speaking in his capacity as head of the Metropolitan Police Authority, had "potentially corrupted" the investigation.
Mr Johnson also admitted he had spoken to Mr Green, an old friend and former colleague, since his arrest in the Home Office leaks inquiry.
Members of today's committee could have also ruled no further action be taken, asked for additional information, or referred the matter directly to the Standards Board of England. If upheld, the matter could lead to his suspension or even removal as Mayor of London.
A Labour spokesman said: "We believe that Boris Johnson has got a clear case to answer for and don't see why the same rules shouldn't apply to the Mayor as to everyone else."
Mr Johnson has denied any wrongdoing and has justified his remarks by insisting he had no knowledge of sensitive operational details of the case. He also claimed not to have any knowledge of the outcome of today's meeting
Both an MPA and a GLA spokesman said they could neither confirm nor deny the committee's decision until a formal decision notice had been released.
Reader views (8)
"Would it not even cross your mind that professing someone's innocence before the cops have even done their job is a daft thing to do?
- Stephen Gaines, Hammersmith"
Guilty until proved innocent?
- Dave, London England
Boris needs to learn that if he is chair of the police he should stay away from individual cases. A simple lesson which even he should be able to understand.
Even if he was'nt chair of the Metropolitan Police as Mayor of London he should not get involved in police investigations unless they approach him.
The above is not Anti-Boris its just common sense which applies to all Mayors whether it be of London or Timbukto.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
The initial complaint came from Labour, but the decision to investigate him came from cross party groups, which include Conservatives.
It is a good decision nas it should resolve the issue once and for all. If he is innocent, he has nothing to worry about. If he is guilty, he should be punished
- Andrew W1, London
This is getting enbarrassing, even Ken's most fervent supporters could not possibly have envisaged what a cringing embarrassment Boris would become. You are a public figure. You are the head of the MPA. Would it not even cross your mind that professing someone's innocence before the cops have even done their job is a daft thing to do?
- Stephen Gaines, Hammersmith
This should give Newlab the chance to call in their friends in the Met to investigate further and in the process pretend that their attack on Green and our Parliamant was right all along. These people are past the scrap heap. Like waste paper they no longer have any value.
- Ted Taylor, Newbury, England.
Moral, Do not speak to anyone other than a member of the Labour party, otherwise you will be arrested and maybe charged and be sure you do not criticise the ruling party or any of it's members or officials or it's policies!
- Hugh, Middx
Another case of Labour sour grapes. They are still suffering from depression following the ousting of that waste of space Livingstone and his corrupt bunch of cronies. This jacked up enquiry will fizzle out just as the Damian Green saga will do. Keep up the good work Boris, there are still a couple of Blair/Stephenson/Quick wasters that need rooting out of New Scotland Yard, along with a few paid up Livingstone mouthpieces, such as Len Duvall, who need to be assigned the task of cleaning the toilets at City Hall.
- Pat, South of England
Looks like Labour's political gestapo are at it again. They just can't take losing can they.
- Mac, London, UK
