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'Knight on shining bicycle' Boris Johnson chases off attackers
Aline Nassif and Katharine Barney04.11.09
Boris Johnson today revealed how he reacted instinctively when he rescued a woman who was being attacked by hoodies armed with a metal bar.
The Mayor has told friends that he did not think before rushing to the aid of Franny Armstrong after she was confronted by the gang late at night.
Ms Armstrong, a documentary film-maker and climate change activist, was walking home in Camden when she was pushed against a car by three girls, one of whom was brandishing the bar.
The 37-year-old said the girls were about to hit her with it until she cried for help to a passing cyclist, who turned out to be Mr Johnson.
The Mayor then chased the girls, who were all around 12, waving the iron bar they had dropped and shouting at them.
A source close to the Mayor today said: “It was just a very instinctive and impulsive thing for him to do. A lady called out for help, so that's what he did.
“The funny thing is he spent all day after it happened with some of his work colleagues and didn't say a single thing about it.
He's downplayed the whole incident so much that everyone at City Hall only heard about it on the news.
“He rode after the girls into an estate but then lost them at a T junction. Afterwards he said it was rather odd circumstances but he actually had a very good chat with Fanny about the environment.”
Mr Johnson refused to talk about the matter personally but said: “London is a safe city and it's getting safer.”
It comes two years after Mr Johnson urged Londoners “to take a risk” and tackle trouble-making thugs while he was campaigning to become Mayor of London.
Describing the attack, Ms Armstrong said: “They pushed me against a parked car really hard and bruised my back.
"I laughed at them until one of the girls drew an iron bar and was about to hit me, which was terrifying."
“As the cyclist approached I saw it was Boris Johnson and I just couldn't believe my eyes, it was all too surreal. What are the chances of bumping into the Mayor of London, let alone in those circumstances. I was bemused and in complete disbelief.”
Ms Armstrong said the girls ran away as soon as Mr Johnson intervened.
She said: “Mr Johnson asked what's going on here' and I turned to the girls and said to them that's the Mayor of London'. That scared them off and they dropped the metal bar and ran away.”
The climate campaigner said Mr Johnson then picked up the iron bar chased after the young girls.
“He turned to me and asked if I was okay before grabbing the pole and disappearing after them for at least ten minutes,” she said.
Mr Johnson, who Ms Armstrong has called her “knight on a shining bicycle”, was unable to find the girls.
The Mayor then returned and walked Ms Armstrong home, where they spent 20 minutes talking about climate change and Ms Armstrong's 10:10 film campaign that aims to cut carbon emissions.
Ms Armstrong said Mr Johnson assured her he would try to get tube and train emissions cut by 10 per cent next year and invited her to give a talk to his climate representatives later this week.
She said: “We had a really productive talk and I had the unique opportunity to tell Mr Johnson what I felt about climate change for 20 full minutes. I said to him it was now his duty to cut carbon emissions - and he said I'll do it'.”
Ms Armstrong admitted that she did not agree with Mr Johnson's politics and had voted for rival Ken Livingstone in the 2008 mayoral election.
She added: “If I'm ever walking down a dark alleyway, it's Mr Johnson I always want to have with me. But if I want to invest in a better future and tackle climate change seriously, Ken Livingstone wins hands down every time.”
Last year Mr Johnson urged people to beware of becoming “have-a-go heroes” because of the risk someone could be carrying a knife, but the Mayor added: “There will be cases where it is the public duty of all of us to help those that are victims of crime.”
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the incident had not been reported to the force.
Reader views (38)
"A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the incident had not been reported to the force."
What does that tell you? That this event only occurred in the minds of Boris and his PR team! Fanny Armstrong may exist - probably knitting herself a lovely new pair of sack cloth dungarees as we speak - but I bet those scary girls don't.And even if they do, does three of them really constitute a gang? No one referred to Bananarama as a gang, they called them a trio. This was a trio, if it existed, which I don't believe it did.
- M Farbiash, Highgate
hang on a minute - what the hell are teenagers doing with a metal bar - .this country is the pits....
- Jim, london
It was only some young girls - it's not like he took on the London branch of the Hells Angels.
Why doesn't our major travel with some security? The islamic extremists may see him as an easy target.
- John, E14 London
I'm usually not slow to find fault in the frankly useless and hopeless buffoon we have as our Mayor, but on this occasion fair play to the waste of space, at least he had the guts to chase-off a bunch of terrifying 12 year-old girls.
Of course it's great PR, and you can't blame his hangers-on for making the most of a good-news story. I can't wait for Vanessa Feltz'z inevitable fawning BBC London interview and Boris' false modesty, it should make even more toe-curling listening than usual.
Still- fair play Boris, less useless than usual.
- Fresh, London
They say a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged but apparently this adage doesn't apply to the global warming true believers.
Boris is twice a hero for enduring her blather.
- Patchy, Surrey
What about the human rights of the girl-gang? Boris Johnson showed no respect for them. He shouted at them as well. That is not at all respectful.
If Ken Livingstone had been there he would have resolved the conflict by peaceful persuasion.
- Anglo, Sussex UK
When are these set ups going to stop? Between the BBC's London news reporters and Johnsons own army of publicists he is hardly ever off the front pages, or off the Boris loving BBC london News headlines. Watch them all fawning over knucklehead Boris
' Boris saves woman from attack' 'Boris has his bike stolen' 'Boris almost crushed by a truck' etc etc and always a camera at hand for the photo opportunity.
How naive can some people get. One of these days we might get a rare sight of, Boris at work.
- James Hennessy, Manchester England
Wonder what Red Ken would have done in the same circumstance?
- Paul, London, Great Britain
Thank you - this gave me a much needed laugh.
Would Boris have been so quick to jump in if the youths in questions were three 16 year old boys rather than 12 year old girls?
- Smb, London, UK
How wonderful of our fantastic Mayor! I would like to start a campaign to award Boris a George Medal for his bravery and calmness in the face of adversity. This outstanding behaviour is why he is such a credit to this city and I hope eventually this nation when he becomes Prime Minister.
- Kimberley, London
Haha, this reminds me of all that Russian propaganda were Putin is pictured fighting tigers with his shirt of, but being Boris the buffoon it was a couple of twelve year old girls (but with a stick!) rather than tigers, what an action hero!
- Nj, London
Well done Boris!!
I look forward to you replacing the idiot Cameron as leader of the conservatives.
No point in calling the police, they are a complete waste of space.
- Michael, Glasgow
I'm surprised Boris hasn't been reported to the police! Imagine a grown man chasing evil little girls with a metal bar!
Well, it's the most likely thing to happen in this day and age, isn't it? Criminal rights being what they are. Heroes can quickly become villains.
- Jock, London
Well done Boris you often scare me but that is because of the things you do and say as the Mayor of London.WELL DONE MATE
- Mike M, Bedford England
Steve palmer, London. What a cynical person you are. Just when I was buying into this feel good story, you ruin it by suggesting it is a set up. Shame on you!
- Maya - London, London
To Boris’s decriers, I doubt that you would be much use in the same situation. One of the main reasons that London is circling the drain is the public’s cowardice.
As burke said “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” For those of you who are not good men (or women) feel free to sneer at those who are from behind your computers.
- Garry, london
I knew Boris was the long lost son of Pat Butcher he was mentored by them Mitchell Brothers ...
- Jeanette Eccles Nw London, London
Good on you Boris
p.s Cummon Steve Palmer - On this occasion Boris did right!
- Jay, Southend
He's like superman, batman and spider man rolled into one. Good old Bozza. PM in the wings. Come on Gordie, roll over and let him rule. Put please don't leave us with the windbag Cameron.
- Peace Maker, Battersea
Good PR stunt, how gullible does this fat useless oaf think we are?
- D.W., London
Well done Boris.
Although it would have been odd if you had not helped, also why did you not arrest a couple of the culprits.
Now what about sorting out crime itself - aren't you also responsible for dealing with crime in London.
- Gerald, London
In today's 'P.C. gone bloody mad' environment, I'm surprised Boris didn't get charged with 'Threatening minors with a metal bar'!
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland
I have told you before, Boris: you are a totally independent thinker. That's why I admire you. They don't make men like you any more!
How about Boris for president of the EU?
- Loli, London UK
Sounds like a reinactment of Batman & Robin on Only Fools and Horses.
- Bj, East London
12 year old girls? their parents must be so proud. hopefully the iron bar has their finger prints on!
- Andy, london
Have the girls been caught?
- Helen, norwich
"A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the incident had not been reported to the force." - but when it is, the full force of the law will no doubt come down on Bozza's head. Time for the revenge of the ghost of Ian Blair I suspect.
- Derek, London
well done mr mayor
waste of time calling the police
- Christopher Metcalfe, Hua Hin
Whether you voted for him or not, respect is due to Boris for his actions here.
- Danny, London
That must have been a sight to behold. I would have paid good money to see that. Well done Boris!
- Mike B, Epsom, Surrey, England
That is so Nice of Mr.Johnson. He is a very good human being. Otherwise nowadays people don't even help their own relative in this type of circumstances. Only people with good heart can think about helping an unknown person without thinking about themselves. Hats Off for Mr. Johnson. I wish I could meet him personally.......God Bless Mr. Johnson Always........
- Manisha Suryawanshi, Nasik, Maharashtra, INDIA
If I saw that fat lump riding towards me, I'd scarper.
- Charles, Kennington
Bring back borstal style boot camps and national service for the youth of this country. They need discipline and respect drummed into them.
- Thomas, London
Boris Johnson IS Batman
- Richard, Twickenham
Our hero... <swoon>
- Mcw, London
Does Boris think we're idiots? He just happened to come across a mugging. The woman just happens to be an award-winning film director, as desperate for publicity as Boris is. The whole thing's a set up.
- Steve Palmer, London
Well done Boris.
- Alex C, London
She's lucky it was Boris. He's probably the only man in London who wouldn't be arrested on suspicion of threatening behaviour, or theft of an iron bar!
- Grahame P, Bristol, UK
