Norris attacks 'dangerous' Livingstone

13 April 2012

London mayor Ken Livingstone was today accused of embarking on a "dangerous" rant about the Middle East by Tory rival Steve Norris.

Mr Livingstone told today's Guardian he wanted Israeli leader Ariel Sharon put in prison and looked forward to the Saudi royal family "swinging from lamp-posts".

Mr Norris, the Conservatives' mayoral candidate, today described the remarks as "incitement" which could have "very serious consequences for our country" at a time when there was a terrorist threat.

Mr Norris said today in a statement: "With the threat of a terrorist attack on London in the air, this kind of Livingstone rant is downright dangerous.

"This is exactly the kind of incitement that could have very serious consequences for our country - and the Mayor does not give a damn.

"Ken's not funny anymore, just offensive. The trouble is that he is in danger of making London a laughing stock."

Responding to Mr Norris's attack, a spokesman for the mayor accused him of trying to "whip up a fake fury".

The spokesman said: "Every now and then Mr Livingstone's opponents try to whip up a fake fury to divert from the fact that he has put more police on London's streets and improved the bus service.

"For the whole of his political career Ken Livingstone has been a forthright politician who speaks his mind and Londoners have not so far found this a problem - on the contrary, most people prefer to have someone in office who doesn't always toe the line.

"The mayor could not be accused of being just another dull politician."

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