If you were watching Newsnight you will have seen an incredulous Jeremy Paxman pressing Livingstone on why he says he doesn't know, or want to know, who funds him in his election campaigns. Click here to watch the Paxman hustings.
Andrew Gilligan - named Journalist of the Year last night - has already found one piece of evidence that suggests that Livingstone is misleading people on this:
"Ken Livingstone took a secret campaign donation from a property developer and then misled the public by claiming he does not know who funds him, the Standard reveals today. The Mayor received the £30,000 knowing it was from multi-millionaire Sharad Patel, who wants to build a £120 million theme park and leisure complex in north-west London, then claimed he knew nothing of who his donors were. He saw the cheque, from Mr Patel's wife made out to the Labour Party, and agreed to meet him for dinner, once his 2004 election campaign was over."
Coincidentally, at around about the same time Mr Patel got the Mayor's support in his fifteen year battle with Brent Council to build a theme park, hotel and leisure complex.
12.45pm update: The paper copy of the Standard has much more detail about how this came about. The Mayor's former Asian Affairs Director Atma Singh seems to be the main source, he's quoted in the paper revealing how Livingstone attended a fundraiser and personally appealed the assembled businessmen for money. Within weeks of donating one of the attendees was appointed to the TfL Board.
Greg Hands MP is also quoted:
"It is no wonder that Ken Livingstone has been trying to cover up his donations given what the Standard has found out. Be appears to have deceived Londoners but the case is overwhelming for him to come clean on who has funded him in the past and who is funding him now."
Nice to see you've covered the Newsnight debate in a 'fair and balanced' way editor.
What's that? No mention of the catastrophic performance put in by your man Johnson?
My favourite part of the evening was when Johnson refused to answer the question on funding for his bizarre Routemaster plans. It was like Michael Howard all over again!
Posted by: NorthernMonkey | April 09, 2008 at 16:39
Johnson did answer the question on Routemaster plans. He said - I paraphrase - 'Ken says he's going to develop a fleet of hybrid busses. I'll take that money, however much it is, and use it for Routemasters.'
Completely fair, completely clear. Pretending otherwise is just pathetic.
Posted by: Charlie | April 09, 2008 at 19:50
Rubbish Charlie.
Watch this and tell me he answered the question:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRRYDVaXdaA
Posted by: NorthernMonkey | April 09, 2008 at 20:06
Unfortunately I have to agree with the accursed leftie on this, Boris messed that performance up quite badly. Let's hope he does better on question time next week.
Posted by: Will Stobart | April 09, 2008 at 20:18
he could have been clearer on the price point, but he couldn't have said anything else - otherwise ken would make some other price up to say his busses we're cheaper or cost much more etc.
Posted by: Londonlx | April 09, 2008 at 22:11