Boris Johnson is to give Telegraph journalist Andrew Gilligan a plum City Hall job, Scrapbook understands. The paid appointment of, errr, cycling czar, comes Gilligan’s way less than a year after he acted as Boris’ election hatchet man in the mainstream media — with a pursuit of Ken Livingstone bordering on the obsessive.
Boris has form for giving friendly journalists — former Evening Standard editor Veronica Wadley is paid to advise the mayor on the Olympics volunteering legacy.
UPDATE: Statement from City Hall –
”It has always been the Mayor’s intention to appoint a Cycling Commissioner. Final discussions with Andrew Gilligan are taking place regarding a part-time role but at this stage no formal appointment has been made.”
Doubtless the Evening Standard will be taking a “cronyism” angle on this story. Cough.
5 Comments
We’re all in this together – especially Bozza’s pals. I wonder when Darius Guppy is going to get a job at City Hall?
If Gilligan was the sole man responsible for saving us from four more years of Livingstone, he should not be given a City Hall job.
He should be knighted.
Not “Wa*ker Gilligan” surely?!?
Strictly entre-nous, I don’t think La Wadley is making a success of her job at Team London. Many have already jumped ship. She has the tact of a viper and the hide of a rhino. Working with volunteers who are not dependent upon her for their living has left her stranded. I doubt if she will be around much longer, having lost her position of influence at the Standard. At least she’s not being paid for the first year.
I’d just like to say that this is a fantastic appointment.