Tonight:
5°c
A senior Tory who refused to disclose his City Hall expenses claimed for 40 taxis with some journeys costing nearly £100.
Brian Coleman was the only Assembly member who refused to follow a request from Boris Johnson to make the taxpayer-funded journeys and any other expenses available online.
But last night the Mayor told Mr Coleman, who is also chair of the fire authority, that he was unimpressed and insisted he back down.
A senior source at City Hall said: “Boris was very angry and there was some shouting. Eventually he was pretty much shamed into it.”
Last year Mr Coleman, who also claims for a Travelcard, took taxis to visit the theatre, restaurants and other venues. One £81 fare was from the Royal Albert Hall to his home in NW3, and he charged £58.77 for a ride home from Lord's cricket ground. Just a quarter of the taxis were to or from City Hall. The total bill was £1,821.72.
Reader views (4)
He doesn't live in NW3 he lives in the northern part of Barnet. So either he wasn't going home at that point or there is a transcription error
- Daphne, London UK, 09/07/2009 15:36
Report abuse
There are good arguments for elected politicains to use taxis where it makes them more efficient. And a higher taxi bill can simply mean they are working harder at their job than someone who claims less.
In Brain Coleman's case, however, neither of these options apply - he is just a wart on the face of democracy.
- Jay, London, 09/07/2009 13:36
Report abuse
What route from the Royal Albert Hall to NW3 costs £81?!
- Mikkiduk, Hackney, London, 09/07/2009 13:22
Report abuse
I'm sure that Mr Coleman claimed that all of his expenses were necessary for him to do his job. Was he really carrying out risk assessments at Lords and the Albert Hall? Boris must now sack him or appear even more useless.
- Jack Jones, Ealing England, 09/07/2009 10:54
Report abuse
