Livingstone refuses to apologise for 'Nazi' slur

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has rejected a call from the London Assembly to apologise for comparing an Evening Standard reporter with a concentration camp guard.

The Assembly had unanimously agreed an urgent motion which expressed its "deep regrets" about Mr Livingstone's comments and called upon him to apologise and withdraw his remarks immediately. Assembly Members voted after an audio recording of the conversation between the Mayor and the reporter when the comments were made was played in the Chamber.

When the Mayor then joined the Assembly plenary meeting to discuss the budget for the Greater London Authority (GLA), Brian Coleman, its Chairman, asked Mr Livingstone if he wished to comment on what had been discussed. The Mayor spoke but declined to apologise.

The motion read: "This Assembly deeply regrets the Mayor's comments made to Evening Standard journalist Oliver Finegold and the offence those comments have caused and calls upon the Mayor to apologise and withdraw his remarks immediately.

"The Assembly urges the Mayor, through his programme of engagement with the Jewish community, to ensure that he communicates continuing commitment to fighting anti-Semitism, and the ongoing commitment of his administration to marking the unique horror of the Holocaust, the greatest racial crime in history.

"The Assembly notes the commitment of the Mayor's administration to opposing anti-Semitism and celebrating the contribution of Jewish Londoners, such as the hosting of the Anne Frank Exhibition in City Hall, the annual marking of the Holocaust Memorial and decisions by the Mayor to ensure the Eruv in North London could be established.

"Given the Mayor's opposition to racism and fascism, it would be unfortunate if an incident with a journalist overshadowed the work his administration is doing to oppose anti-Semitism and to engage with the Jewish community."

Brian Coleman said: "It is regrettable that the Mayor felt he could not apologise. Assembly Members sent out a unanimous message today calling on Ken Livingstone to say sorry. People in public life, like everyone, can make mistakes and should apologise accordingly. The Assembly voted together to say that last week's comments were inappropriate; it is sad that the Mayor does not agree."

Conservatives in the Assembly have called on Tony Blair to intervene and order Mr Livingstone to apologise for his "deeply offensive" slur.

In a letter fired off to the Prime Minister by the party's Assembly group leader Bob Neill, Conservatives say that if Mr Livingstone refuses to come to heel he should face disciplinary action within the Labour Party.

As the case was referred to an official standards watchdog, Mr Neill said on behalf of Assembly Conservatives: "The Mayor has been given numerous opportunities to apologise for his deeply offensive remarks. In resolutely refusing to do so he has ignored the wishes of most Londoners, many of his Labour colleagues and the London Assembly."

He added: "It is now time for the Prime Minister, as leader of the Labour Party, to insist Mr Livingstone apologises. If the Mayor refuses, Mr Blair should take disciplinary action within the Party. This is a vital week for London's 2012 bid - and the Mayor's refusal to atone for his comments could do significant damage."

In his letter to No 10, Mr Neill pointed out that politicians of all parties, Labour MPs, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, leaders of the Jewish community and 28 holocaust survivors, have all called on the Mayor to apologise. He told the Prime Minister: "Given that Mr Livingstone is now back inside the Labour Party, I ask you, as Party Leader, to use all your influence to insist that he apologises; and, if he refuses, to consider disciplinary procedures within the Party.

"I need hardly remind you that London is under the closest inspection this week by the International Olympic Committee. I fully support the 2012 bid and am deeply concerned that the Mayor's failure to apologise may damage it."

(GB)