Monday, March 13, 2006
Mayor uses public money to halt lapdancing club opening
Ken Livingstone has formed an unlikely partnership with the Dean of Southwark Cathedral in order to fight the opening of a lapdancing club. The Mayor will pay a quarter of the £16,000 legal bill, according to the Evening Standard.
Mr Livingstone used the rather spurious reasoning that the opening of the club could potentially harm female staff from the Greater London Authority (said to total 360). Ken also went on to say the safety of women and children across London was at stake, though he doesn't make it clear exactly how this is the case.
Unsurprisingly, the committee responsible for licensing rejected the Mayor's claims and the Rembrandt club will open later this year. Ken defended his decision saying the payment to the cathedral was "appropriate" but this use of public money has been criticised, particularly since it has nothing to do with Ken or the GLA.
Angie Bray, a Conservative Assembly member, said "What on earth is Livingstone doing committing public money to something that has very little to do with life at City Hall? This is entirely a matter for residents and their local councillors."
The gesture by Ken Livingstone would have been a noble one, had the money came from his own pocket, but this is a blatant misappropriation of taxpayers' money. It's yet another example of Ken using the office of Mayor as a vehicle for his personal opinions.
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