Boris Johnson to fight for London's poor

In a battle that could be at odds with his own Government London Mayor Boris Johnson has said he will fight against ‘Kosovo style cleansing’ in the capital that could be caused by the Coalition Government’s proposed changes to housing benefit.

Under the proposed scheme, families living on housing benefit in and around central London would be forced to move to cheaper areas. 

Although Johnson’s usage of words will anger some of his coalition colleagues, (deputy leader Nick Clegg, was furious when a shadow Labour spokesman talked about ethnic cleansing during a debate on the issue), many ordinary Londoners, particularly BME groups, who will be disproportionately affected by the changes, will welcome their Mayor speaking out.

It remains to be seen how the Coalition Government deals with this contentious issue, but if one of their most high profile politicians will not be silenced, then they may have to think again.

And the ink had hardly dried on this page before I got news that his bosses are furious and Boris is being forced to back down claiming that he was quoted "out of context".

 Simon Woolley