Boris Calls London Assembly Members 'Jellies'

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has reacted with anger after the London Assembly rejected the chance to quiz him about his budget.

Mr Johnson had been due to be questioned by Assembly members on his £16.5bn budget for the capital in a session at City Hall.

But they voted by 16 to eight in favour of not scrutinising his decisions for 2013/14, leaving the politician incredulous.

He said: "They have no questions. They don't want to scrutinise. Are you saying they are abdicating their duty to scrutinise me?

"Are you saying they haven't the guts to put questions to me? Great supine proto-plasmic invertebrate jellies.

"That's it? They don't want to ask any questions."

Assembly chair Jennette Arnold battled to continue the meeting as Mr Johnson muttered his protests while he gathered his belongings and walked out.

The budget, which has sparked controversy for proposing to axe 12 London fire stations and cuts to police spending, was later approved unamended.

Mr Johnson said in a statement: "It is vital that we boost economic growth and create the jobs that we need to help lift this city and country out of our current economic difficulties.

"Businesses will only want to invest here if they see us offering the best quality of life for a major world city.

"That means building more houses, making London safer and continuing with crucial infrastructure projects like the upgrade of the Tube and Crossrail - delivering value for money, whilst making London safer and ensuring that we have emergency services that we can continue to be proud of is one of my key priorities."