Lord Rogers quit as architecture aide after Mayor 'blocked' design projects

Architect Lord Rogers quit as an aide to London mayor Boris Johnson because he felt he was being "blocked" in his work to design and deliver public spaces in London, it was revealed today.

The peer wrote to Mr Johnson in September: "As for you and I working closely together, this, quite simply, has never happened."

Details of correspondence between the two were given in architecture newspaper and website Building Design (BD), which obtained them under the Freedom of Information Act.

In his letter of resignation, Lord Rogers, a Labour peer and former chief mayoral adviser on architecture and urbanism, accused the Tory Mayor and his deputies of hindering his proposed work on public space, BD reported.

The request also unearthed a string of earlier letters between the Mayor and Lord Rogers, who held an unpaid role in London government for nine years, the newspaper said.

Over the course of more than a year, Lord Rogers made a series of demands that were not met by the Mayor, including direct access to Mr Johnson and the establishment of a professional team of eight architects and a "full-time senior team leader" under Lord Rogers's leadership, it added.

"To do this work, I will need the support of a dedicated team, a budget and true power to improve London's public spaces," Lord Rogers wrote last December.

But the Mayor instead established a public realm steering group under the chairmanship of Transport for London deputy chairman and Conservative councillor Daniel Moylan, and criticised the lack of progress made on public space under his predecessor, Ken Livingstone, BD said.

Mr Johnson wrote in May: "Whilst I recognise the importance of incorporating first-class design thinking ... I am also clear that there has to be a greater focus on delivery than previous such initiatives and believe the approach I am adopting will maximise the likelihood that there will be visible improvements over the next four years."

Lord Rogers wrote to Mr Johnson in September: "I am disappointed and frustrated that for over a year you and your deputies have blocked me from realising the work that we discussed at our first meeting and in numerous letters: to lead a professional team to design and deliver public spaces in London. As for you and I working closely together, this, quite simply, has never happened. Without a team and without your support, I cannot continue my work."

Mr Johnson wrote to Lord Rogers: "Whilst I am naturally disappointed by your decision to resign, I do accept it.

"Your contribution to the improvement of design in London has been immense ... you are owed a debt of gratitude for your selfless personal contribution which has been offered pro bono to the city over several years..."

A spokesman for the mayor said today: "Richard found that the roles did not give him sufficient scope to use his expertise but the mayor remains very grateful for his input into the development of his projects and programmes."

A spokesman for Lord Rogers had no immediate comment.