Boris gaffe sparks 'helpless laughter' in London Bill debate » Local Government » 24dash.com

A gaffe from Tory mayoral candidate Boris Johnson reduced Labour MPs to helpless laughter and prompted protests in the Commons.

One MP was even forced to flee the chamber briefly to regain his composure after an ill-timed intervention from Mr Johnson - who was speaking to the wrong set of amendments.

Proving that even debate on the Greater London Authority Bill is not immune from a Boris "moment", Clive Efford struggled valiantly to suppress his mirth.

But after several minutes of shaking shoulders and strangled giggles, Mr Efford gave up the fight and left the chamber where he could be heard laughing loudly outside the main doors.

He returned after several minutes but clearly struggled to maintain a straight face.

Later Labour's Andrew Dismore said the incident was very amusing but also "frightening" given the importance of the Bill to Londoners.

It was triggered after Mr Efford (Eltham) noted archly that Mr Johnson had made scant contribution to the debate.

"The candidate for the mayoral seat for the Conservative Party doesn't seem to have a view on any of this," he remarked.

Rising swiftly, Mr Johnson observed: "Anything that encourages more cooperation and consultation between the mayor and the boroughs is a good thing."

Heckled by Mr Efford that he didn't know what was being discussed, he added: "I think everybody in this House wants to see a mayoralty that responds to the wishes of local communities and works with the boroughs and not against them in imposing planning decisions that go against the wishes of locally elected politicians."

Local Government Minister John Healey riposted: "Welcome to the debate. We missed your contribution and your presence in previous sections.

"Can I also say you are speaking in fact to the next group of amendments - we are talking about housing strategy and health, but we will come on to planning next."

As the first of the giggles broke out among Labour MPs, Deputy Speaker Sylvia Heal called order and moved the business on.

Outside the Commons, Mr Dismore said: "It gave us all a good laugh, but it is frightening that this buffoon who wants to be the Mayor of London has nothing to say."

He stressed: "This is the most important Bill on London government since the Greater London Authority was set up, it's the major review of the GLA and mayor's powers.

"It covers the process of setting the budget, health and housing issues, planning - which has been very controversial - the new waste recycling board, climate change and environmental policy, and confirmation of mayoral appointments."

He continued: "Boris turned up late, stayed for about five minutes, then left.

"We gave Tories some grief about it and one of their whips went out to fetch him. He came back and was yawning and not interested."

Mr Dismore (Hendon) said the mayoral hopeful had "clearly not prepared for the debate", adding: "He had no papers with him.

"I doubt whether he read any of the amendments and he had nothing to say about these important issues for London."

If Mayor Ken Livingstone were still an MP he would have "prepared properly, turned up on time and had something to say", Mr Dismore argued.

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