Boris Johnson’s chief exec is stepping up plans to steamroller the independence of the London Assembly - the body set up to scrutinise the Mayor & Executive.
The independence of the London Assembly is under threat following the revelation that Boris Johnson placeman Leo Boland, chief executive of the Greater London Authority, is seeking powers “to monitor and review all official scrutiny reports produced by the Assembly”.
Documents leaked to journalist and blogger Tory Troll state that Mr Boland wishes to:
“Review draft scrutiny reports before their publication for the purposes of providing quality control and oversight of the written output from the Authority.
“This opportunity for review would be personal to the Chief Executive and would not be delegated to any other officer.”
His justification for this is:
(a). “It would provide the Chief Executive with direct oversight and input into the quality of scrutiny reports.”
(b). “The Chief Executive would be aware of reports before their publication, and would be able to anticipate any potential issues of conflict or controversy.”
Such measures, if approved, would appear to call into question the very purpose of the legislature – as set out in its Mission Statement, which reads:
“The London Assembly holds the Mayor of London to account and investigates issues that matter to Londoners. Its 25 members are elected at the same time as the Mayor.
“The Assembly works by directly questioning the Mayor about his activities, strategies and decisions. It also publishes the findings and recommendations from its investigations and makes proposals to the Mayor.”
13 Responses to “Boris adviser’s secret plans to crush Assembly’s independence”
Azon T59
Shamik Das – Is this blog evidence based or not?
The statements you have printed are simply not truthful and honest. Have you checked the story for validity before posting them – it seems not.
You should be ashamed of yourself printing stories based on dubious speculation and not evidence – especially since you claim this blog is evidence based.
What about some truth from this blog for a change instead of misinformation.
There are plenty enough stories on Labour you can print such as the MP’s due to charged over expenses, Harriet Harman leaving the scene of a crime and on and on.
Truth please Shamik or find another job – this is a good site being devalued by your comments – or let me guess you won’t print this post.
Shamik Das
And your evidence for such unfounded vitriol is…
Azon T59
Shamik Das – Your story is speculative, biased, untruthful and not evidence based.
That opinion is factual and not vitriolic and your “story” about Boris Johnson is the evidence for that.
Shamik Das
“Speculative, biased, untruthful and not evidence based” – seems to describe some of your comments. The facts are plain to see; are you implying there were no leaked documents or that they weren’t genuine? The Mayor, via the extremely well paid Mr Boland is looking to neuter the Assembly.
He wants to “review draft scrutiny reports before their publication” … how exactly will this help the Assembly hold “the Mayor of London to account”?
Azon T59
Shamik Das – Why shouldn’t he review documents before they get published?
He is the Boss – he has that right. Boris won – a majority of Londoners prefer him to Ken Livingston. It’s over in London and the South East for Labour – now you get over it.
You lot blew it when you treated the voters like fools and in the General Election bloodbath due next year you will get what you deserve. This blog will be finished in six months when supporting Labour will as popular as Swine Flu.
But that still doesn’t give you the right to claim to be evidence based when this “story” is just that – a “story” – a figment of your imagination.