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Boris starts review of embassies... from a boat in Turkey

by Dave Keating | May 28, 2008 at 03:55 am

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The so-called "foreign embassies" that London Mayor Ken Livingstone set up during his time in offer are likely to end up on teh chopping block after a review launched by new mayor Boris Johnson. Johnson is today in Turkey taking a look at one of those embassies, which were set up to promote London abroad.

City Hall's "foreign embassies" face closure after Boris Johnson launched a review into whether they offer value for money today.

The Mayor announced plans to look at whether six international offices set up by Ken Livingstone were doing their job of promoting London abroad.

He said during the election campaign he would shut them down but later toned down his opposition after City figures expressed concern.

Mr Johnson's critics claimed the offices - in Delhi, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai, Caracas and Brussels - were vital for investment in the capital.

Deputy mayor for government relations Ian Clement, who is today visiting the GLA office in Brussels, will lead the review and report back this autumn.

The offices would cost £1.4 million to run this year, including staffing, administration, office space and supplies. The GLA also employs a consultant in Moscow at a cost of £35,000 a year.