• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

Some of us might think it is a bit cynical, manipulative and devious of the Government to have tried to push Bob Kiley into a position where he had to threaten to sue himself if these negotiations did not come off. It was never a realistic stance. You referred to the Labour majority in London. Given the importance of the Parsons Brinckerhoff report, will you make sure not only that it is publicised at your press conference but that it is sent as a matter of urgency to all London Members of Parliament? Will you now attempt to join all...

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

You talk about Millbank, but we have a problem with what I call "Kenbank" - the cynical manipulation of information. The last year, in which the availability of trains has dropped by 8%, is roughly the year by which you have delayed the implementation of PPP. I think Londoners need to be aware of that. Secondly, the selective interpretation of a report which no one in this world has yet seen is also cynical, manipulative, devious, and dishonest with Londoners. I have a press statement in front of me which says that the very report from which you have quoted...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

Would you say that, by sacking Kiley, the Government have now effectively declared war on London? Regardless of the advice to the contrary from every transport expert in the world, they continue to be determined to impose PPP against the wishes of London and to force you as Mayor to turn to the courts in order to get justice and be able to carry out your statutory duty under the Act to create a safe, integrated and economic Tube system for London.

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

Ken, given your outspoken condemnation of the Labour Government today and on many other occasions, and given the deafening silence of most London Labour MPs, why on earth do you want to rejoin the Labour party? Or maybe you don't any more. What efforts have you been making to break the silence of London Labour MPs and what success you have had; and when will they exercise whatever muscle they have and save London from a London Government?

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

I agree with you that Labour are treating Londoners appallingly; but is there any culpability here, within Romney House, as well? I know it is rather Wilsonian to say so, but I would quote what I said to you at the May Assembly meeting: "Is it not important that you play your hand very strongly during the election period, to ensure that there is a solution before it is over? Otherwise, a Labour Government will just renege on the agreement with you." Has it not been rather naive to have made Mr Kiley the Chief Executive of London Underground, and...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

I absolutely agree with you. However, my point was not so much what they did, which I think was wrong, as whether using such language was well judged. I do not think that your description of London Underground's senior management as "dullards" did a lot to improve their view of you or their kindliness towards you in the negotiations. I am just concerned that emotive language such as "Taliban" is not perhaps the best way to win friends and influence English Heritage.

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

I wanted to remind you, Mr Mayor, about your exaggerated language about Wandsworth. Early in your tenure, you described us as "the Milosevic regime of local government". That has not endeared you to me, I have to say. [Laughter.] Also, you talked about ethnic cleansing in Wandsworth. I said at the time that you were bringing your elected office into disrepute. I therefore hope that you will refrain from such language in future.

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

Lynne did not suggest that we lose them [pagers] - only the Labour Members. I support her attempt to unshackle our colleagues. Ken, if you win in court next week - the majority of the Assembly very much hope you do - what will you do next?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

It is rather passive - and they would not accept it in New York, either. Given that there is an emergency motion later today - if the Assembly agrees to take it - condemning the Government for their sacking of Kiley, do you remember that, during their campaign to be elected to the Assembly, Labour Members stood shoulder to shoulder with Frank Dobson against privatisation? Don't you agree that this motion would be an opportunity for them to throw away their pagers and stand up and be counted, just like the 60 Labour MPs who voted against the Government on...

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 18 July 2001

They are professional board members.