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Minister defends ban on 'Boris' | Minister defends ban on 'Boris' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Minister Tessa Jowell has defended asking other ministers not to refer to the Conservative London mayoral candidate simply as "Boris". | Minister Tessa Jowell has defended asking other ministers not to refer to the Conservative London mayoral candidate simply as "Boris". |
The Sunday Times reported Ms Jowell told senior figures they would pay £5 each time they used his first name. | The Sunday Times reported Ms Jowell told senior figures they would pay £5 each time they used his first name. |
Later she told Sky News it was not part of a political strategy, but she wanted to avoid the election becoming a joke. | Later she told Sky News it was not part of a political strategy, but she wanted to avoid the election becoming a joke. |
Meanwhile Boris Johnson has claimed his opponents are "ruthlessly" misrepresenting his policies. | Meanwhile Boris Johnson has claimed his opponents are "ruthlessly" misrepresenting his policies. |
He told the Sunday Telegraph: "There's been lots of sub-radar stuff, really abusive. They've read every column I've ever written to see if they can find something to turn into a smear about a position I don't hold. | He told the Sunday Telegraph: "There's been lots of sub-radar stuff, really abusive. They've read every column I've ever written to see if they can find something to turn into a smear about a position I don't hold. |
"I was quite surprised by the complete intellectual dishonesty in some of the ways they've tried to misrepresent me." | "I was quite surprised by the complete intellectual dishonesty in some of the ways they've tried to misrepresent me." |
'No joke' | 'No joke' |
A spokeswoman for Mr Livingstone's campaign responded: "Boris Johnson uniquely claims it is a smear to quote what he actually said .... it is scarcely a smear to say what he actually stood for." | A spokeswoman for Mr Livingstone's campaign responded: "Boris Johnson uniquely claims it is a smear to quote what he actually said .... it is scarcely a smear to say what he actually stood for." |
Ms Jowell, the minister in charge of Labour's mayoral campaign, has told colleagues not to refer to Mr Johnson solely by his first name. | Ms Jowell, the minister in charge of Labour's mayoral campaign, has told colleagues not to refer to Mr Johnson solely by his first name. |
The Sunday Times reported it was because the government feared making him appear too charismatic and popular. | The Sunday Times reported it was because the government feared making him appear too charismatic and popular. |
Asked about the policy, Ms Jowell told Sky News: "To turn this into a political strategy is just ridiculous. What we have to avoid is a situation where people think this election is a joke and that the future of London is not serious. | Asked about the policy, Ms Jowell told Sky News: "To turn this into a political strategy is just ridiculous. What we have to avoid is a situation where people think this election is a joke and that the future of London is not serious. |
"Our argument, made publicly at every possible turn, is that Boris Johnson's policies for London are not serious." | "Our argument, made publicly at every possible turn, is that Boris Johnson's policies for London are not serious." |
Mr Johnson, like his Labour rival Ken Livingstone, is one of only a handful of politicians widely recognised by his first name. | Mr Johnson, like his Labour rival Ken Livingstone, is one of only a handful of politicians widely recognised by his first name. |
An opinion poll out last Thursday suggests the two men are neck-and-neck in the race to become London's mayor, a position Mr Livingstone has held since 2000. | An opinion poll out last Thursday suggests the two men are neck-and-neck in the race to become London's mayor, a position Mr Livingstone has held since 2000. |
The Guardian/ICM survey of 1,002 adults put Mr Johnson ahead with 42% of first choice votes, compared with Mr Livingstone's 41% and Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick's 10%. | The Guardian/ICM survey of 1,002 adults put Mr Johnson ahead with 42% of first choice votes, compared with Mr Livingstone's 41% and Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick's 10%. |
There are 10 candidates for the mayoral election on 1 May. The Greens, UK Independence Party, the British National Party, Christian Choice, Left List, English Democrats and one independent also got through the nominations process. | There are 10 candidates for the mayoral election on 1 May. The Greens, UK Independence Party, the British National Party, Christian Choice, Left List, English Democrats and one independent also got through the nominations process. |
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