Andrew Dismore

Boris Johnson has been forced to ask Transport for London to renegotiate its contract for the Emirates Cable Car after it was revealed it was in breach of domestic UK and European laws. Labour London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore is now demanding an apology from the Mayor for allowing this contract to dictate foreign policy as well as assurances that the Mayor will not deal with companies that discriminates by stealth in this way. (Letter to Mayor attached).

The Mayor has now admitted that he needs to ask TfL to renegotiate the contract for sponsorship of the cable car which c allows the boycotting of Israeli companies.

 

Labour London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore said:

“Boris knows full well that this contract discriminates against Israeli businesses and companies and that’s why once he was found out, he’s backed down so quickly and accepted that this contract needs to be renegotiated. This is another example of Boris’s inability to be on top of the detail – he’s a part-time Mayor and that simply isn’t good enough for Londoners.

“The contract is currently in breach of the Race Relations Act,  the Equalities Act, UK and EU competition law, as well as several articles of the EU-Israel Association Trade Agreement.  Whilst I welcome this U-turn from the Mayor and urge Transport for London to get this discriminatory contract amended immediately, that is not enough.

“The GLA should not be engaging in this or any other contracts with Emirates if these clauses are part of their standard business practice. As part of the renegotiation will the Mayor must confirm with Emirates that they are not imposing such terms as a matter of course elsewhere.  If he is  not prepared to raise this with them, or if they will not so confirm, then he  will be doing business with a company that clearly discriminates against Israel and Israelis  and the Mayor will be seen to be condoning such discrimination  which is in in breach of the law.”