Menu
16/02/2005
Blair backs calls for Livingstone apology
Tony Blair weighed-in to the Ken Livingstone row today saying that the Mayor of London should apologise to Jewish Evening Standard reporter Oliver Finegold, who he described as being "like a concentration camp guard."
Mr Livingstone has come under intense pressure to apologise for his remarks made last week.
Yesterday the Mayor of London said that he did not anticipate the Prime Minister to comment, but today Mr Blair, in an interview for Channel Five, said: "A lot of us in politics get angry with journalists from time to time but, in the circumstances, and to the journalist because he was a Jewish journalist, yes, he should apologise. Let's just apologise and move on, that's the sensible thing."
Earlier this week Mr Livingstone rejected a unanimous call from the London Assembly to apologise for his remarks.
The Assembly motion expressed "deep regrets" about Mr Livingstone's comments and called on him to apologise and to withdraw his remarks immediately. Assembly Members voted on the issue after hearing an audio recording of the conversation between the Mayor and the reporter when the comments were made.
Conservatives in the Assembly had called on Tony Blair to intervene and order Mr Livingstone to apologise for his "deeply offensive" slur or face disciplinary action from the Labour Party.
The row has overshadowed the UK visit of the International Olympic Committee who are in the UK this week to scrutinise London's 2012 bid proposals.
Many commentators, including the Labour Party's Assembly group leader Bob Neill, feel that the Mayor's refusal to atone for the comments could do significant damage to the bid.
Mr Neill said: "I fully support the 2012 bid and am deeply concerned that the Mayor's failure to apologise may damage it."
(SP/GB)
Mr Livingstone has come under intense pressure to apologise for his remarks made last week.
Yesterday the Mayor of London said that he did not anticipate the Prime Minister to comment, but today Mr Blair, in an interview for Channel Five, said: "A lot of us in politics get angry with journalists from time to time but, in the circumstances, and to the journalist because he was a Jewish journalist, yes, he should apologise. Let's just apologise and move on, that's the sensible thing."
Earlier this week Mr Livingstone rejected a unanimous call from the London Assembly to apologise for his remarks.
The Assembly motion expressed "deep regrets" about Mr Livingstone's comments and called on him to apologise and to withdraw his remarks immediately. Assembly Members voted on the issue after hearing an audio recording of the conversation between the Mayor and the reporter when the comments were made.
Conservatives in the Assembly had called on Tony Blair to intervene and order Mr Livingstone to apologise for his "deeply offensive" slur or face disciplinary action from the Labour Party.
The row has overshadowed the UK visit of the International Olympic Committee who are in the UK this week to scrutinise London's 2012 bid proposals.
Many commentators, including the Labour Party's Assembly group leader Bob Neill, feel that the Mayor's refusal to atone for the comments could do significant damage to the bid.
Mr Neill said: "I fully support the 2012 bid and am deeply concerned that the Mayor's failure to apologise may damage it."
(SP/GB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 February 2005
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.
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.
22 February 2005
No apology from Livingstone over Nazi remark
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has said that he will not apologise for comparing a Jewish reporter to a concentration camp guard. Mr Livingstone was caught on tape accusing Evening Standard reporter Oliver Finegold of behaving like a concentration camp guard.
No apology from Livingstone over Nazi remark
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has said that he will not apologise for comparing a Jewish reporter to a concentration camp guard. Mr Livingstone was caught on tape accusing Evening Standard reporter Oliver Finegold of behaving like a concentration camp guard.
03 February 2004
Opposition parties slam Livingstone's mayoral candidacy
London Labour Party members have overwhelmingly endorsed Ken Livingstone as the Labour candidate for June's mayoral election - a result opposition parties have slammed as "cynical". Labour Delegates voted by 94% in favour of selecting Mr Livingstone as the Labour Party candidate with over 45% of members voting in the ballot.
Opposition parties slam Livingstone's mayoral candidacy
London Labour Party members have overwhelmingly endorsed Ken Livingstone as the Labour candidate for June's mayoral election - a result opposition parties have slammed as "cynical". Labour Delegates voted by 94% in favour of selecting Mr Livingstone as the Labour Party candidate with over 45% of members voting in the ballot.
24 September 2010
Livingstone Wins Nomination
Ken Livingstone has polled 68.8% of the votes to win Labour's nomination for the 2012 London mayoral election. Mr Livingstone, who served two terms as London mayor between 2000 and 2008, defeated former MP Oona King in the election. He will now run against Conservative representative Boris Johnson.
Livingstone Wins Nomination
Ken Livingstone has polled 68.8% of the votes to win Labour's nomination for the 2012 London mayoral election. Mr Livingstone, who served two terms as London mayor between 2000 and 2008, defeated former MP Oona King in the election. He will now run against Conservative representative Boris Johnson.
31 March 2008
Cameron Supports Johnson In Mayoral Race
Race frontrunner Boris Johnson - who is expected to beat rival Ken Livingstone for the prestigious role of Mayor of London - has been enjoying some high level support. The Tory candidate is being backed by party Leader David Cameron who said that Mr Johnson is "twice as charismatic and energetic" as his rival Livingstone.
Cameron Supports Johnson In Mayoral Race
Race frontrunner Boris Johnson - who is expected to beat rival Ken Livingstone for the prestigious role of Mayor of London - has been enjoying some high level support. The Tory candidate is being backed by party Leader David Cameron who said that Mr Johnson is "twice as charismatic and energetic" as his rival Livingstone.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A fine end to the day with some sunshine, then clear spells overnight. Low cloud could form around some Irish Sea coasts later in the night, or a few fog patches in prone spots.. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
