Mayor answers to London

Olympic memorandum of Understanding

[Main question]

Question by John Biggs

In your answers to 1415/2008 and 1878/2008 you seem to be unable to understand the question. Could you advise: Did your predecessor enter into an agreement regarding Olympic funding, commonly known as the ‘Olympic Memorandum of Understanding’, which states specifically how the increased Olympic funding package was to be met? Was that undertaken in pursuit of his ‘statutory functions’ and if not why did he sign it and what status does it have? And have you yet read it or acknowledged its existence? Do you think it represents a good deal for London in particular in its treatment of lottery funding? If your reply to this question remains the same as when asked on previous occasions would you not accept that Londoners will begin to wonder what purpose you serve?

Answer by Boris Johnson

There is an updated Memorandum of Understanding on funding for London 2012, which was signed by the previous Mayor and by Tessa Jowell on behalf of Government in June 2007. The reasons, and legal basis, for the previous Mayor's signing the MOU were set out in Mayoral Approval Form MA3131. The MOU is available on the DCMS website, which is why I denied (and continue to deny) the existence of a 'secret' agreement as suggested by the BBC. I am content with the arrangements set out in it in relation to lottery funding, and will of course hold firm to my commitment that Londoners will not pay a penny more than has already been agreed.