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Power surge at London’s most influential party
Ross Lydall, Chief News Correspondent11 Nov 2009
It was the perfect example of how to win friends and influence people. Ken Livingstone managed to arrive at the Standard's Influentials top 1,000 party at the same time as the Mayor's novelist sister, Rachel.
Mr Livingstone was a star guest at the Standard's annual party for the 1,000 most influential Londoners. Now in its third year, the event, sponsored by Burberry, attracted the cream of London's political, business, arts and fashion worlds.
In pictures: Evening Standard's Influentials party
When Boris himself arrived at the party at Burberry's global head office in Horseferry Road, he was greeted with a kiss by BBC London anchor Riz Lateef, who features on the list of London's 1,000 most influential people for the second year.
Ms Lateef, who has joined the pool of newsreaders for the BBC's main weekend bulletins, said: "I think I was the first person he recognised."
She added: "I'm normally stuck in the studio so to feel the buzz of London first-hand is great."
Mr Johnson denied David Cameron's charge that he had "put his size 10 feet in it" at the Tory party conference by demanding a referendum on Europe. "I take size 10-and-a-half," he said.
Mr Johnson also jokingly offered Mr Livingstone the post of “deputy mayor for reconciliation”.
The former mayor said he was ready to resume his old role.
“You have just missed it,” he told the Standard. “Boris has promised to resign immediately.”
The Mayor, who was crowned the most influential Londoner, said: “I'm proud to be the man rated the most influential person in the most influential city on Earth.”
In pictures: Evening Standard's Influentials party
Other guests included Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, Topshop boss Sir Philip Green, Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu, BBC boss Alan Yentob, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, former Tory vice-chairman Jeffrey Archer, ex-Rolling Stone wife Jo Wood and Duran Duran keyboard player Nick Rhodes.
Met police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson mingled with designer Anya Hindmarch, O2 arena chief executive David Campbell, lastminute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman, Gordon Brown's official spokesman Simon Lewis and singer and former Neighbours actress Holly Valance.
Ms Ohuruogu, who plans to defend her Commonwealth title in Delhi next year, said: "It's great to see such an eclectic mix of different communities. "It makes you realise how diverse London is and what Londoners are doing internationally. I want to take photos but I can't."
Click here to see the full list of the top 1,000 influentials
Reader views (12)
Strange how Ken is so happy to schmooze with a man his campaign claimed was a far-right racist.
Oh yeah - they were lying through their teeth throughout the mayoral election weren't they?
Just as Ken's supporters are still doing.
- Pete, Soho, London, 12/11/2009 17:47
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Melvyn Windebank - still looking for a sop for a man who came second in a winner takes all race? A worshipper at his feet are you? An unashamed Tory all of my adult - THINKING - life, I've had "Kenophobia" from the first time I saw the man come on the regional then national political scene. His appearance (subjective, I know), his voice (again subjective, but cumulative), his political expediency (demonstrated repeatedly), his duplicity (ditto) and his left wing brand of socialism all kinda sealed the deal.
- Rogan, Irving, 11/11/2009 19:11
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in reality it;s the old boys school lets all stick together and reap what we can off the gulible public yuk yuk yuk
- Basil, bussiere poitevine 87320 france, 11/11/2009 18:08
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Well done to Ms Ohuruogu for remembering to turn up to this appointment.
- St, London, 11/11/2009 16:09
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This is the most comical story, the idea that these idiots influence any one other than this coterie is absurd and libellous if this claim is extended to the public - all people who just won't go away despite how much the public hate them one for lying over the death of man - met, the other for taking that loan and trying to Lord it over with some rubbish title as a comeback. Finally your photo leads on Ken and Boris, how odd, as if no one had guessed they have identical policies?
- Val Keller, London UK, 11/11/2009 15:59
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Nobody with any class would attend such a vulgar event.
- Andy Taylor, London, 11/11/2009 14:04
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Is that a "Spot the Difference" photograph?
- Fresh, London, 11/11/2009 13:10
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Boris offering Ken a job? Are the loos blocked in SE1 again?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 11/11/2009 12:38
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It's amazing! How did they manage to get such a useless lot together at one time. Free lunch?
- Frederick, London, 11/11/2009 12:26
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This is the skint london we were told about last week is it ?
- Jeanette, London, 11/11/2009 12:08
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It was Boris who should have taken up former Mayor Kens offer of a traininee apprenticeship he might then not be making such a mess of Londons Transport!!
I bet we get the usual Kenophobia from those who live in Toryland fact is London Mayors should be treated as U.S Presidents and retain the title "Mayor" for life.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 11/11/2009 11:32
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Business Secretary Lord Mandelson , knew before reading full article that he would be there .
- Alan Baker, essex .uk, 11/11/2009 10:49
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