Tory Councillor Tony Devenish stated that the London Mayor should have prioritised retaining resources in the capital during the coronavirus pandemic. Sadiq Khan hit back telling Mr Devenish that his flip-flopping on whether London should have had a fireworks display was embarrassing.
Mr Devenish said: “I am wondering why you thought it was a good idea to spend £1.5 million on New Year’s Eve on a pathetic firework party.”
Mr Khan replied: “I am surprised by that question because the same member said it was a hammer-blow when I announced public fireworks were going to be cancelled.
“He has gone from hammer-blow to waste of money, I wish he would make up his mind.
“He also reminded my chief of staff about ‘the significant value’ fireworks have in promoting London globally.
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“Which is it? This flip-flopping is embarrassing.”
Mr Devenish said: “Well, you know far more about flip-flopping than me.
“Is it maximising resources by spending £1.5 million on saying ‘you’re on mute’ as a fireworks symbol? Pathetic.”
This is not the first time the London Mayor’s spending of public resources has been questioned.
However, a spokesman for the Mayor of London dismissed Ms Hall’s claim.
Mr Khan’s spokesman said: “This claim is absolute nonsense.
“A comprehensive training package covering a whole range of areas is being delivered to more than 10,000 officers.
“There are more than a thousand additional police officers tackling crime on London’s streets than when Sadiq first became Mayor.
“He has provided further City Hall funding to help protect police officer numbers over the next year, but we still face huge financial challenges because the Government refuses to refund City Hall and the Met for costs and lost income as a result of the pandemic.”
