Boris must have conduct training

Boris Johnson today faces the embarrassing prospect of receiving training in official codes of conduct after his role in the Damian Green arrest.

An investigation has cleared the Mayor of any official breach, meaning he will not face disciplinary action.

But the Mayor was criticised over his "extraordinary" behaviour in contacting former colleague Mr Green, who was the subject of a police inquiry into alleged leaks of Home Office information.

After Mr Green's arres tin November, Mr Johnson told the London Assembly he had "a hunch" the police investigation was unlikely to result in a charge.

The investigation, by solicitor Jonathan Goolden and accepted by the Assembly, found Mr Johnson did not disclose confidential information.

It recommended the Metropolitan Police Authority, which Mr Johnson chairs, and GLA adopt a protocol to deal with "management of information" by senior police officers and the Mayor.

In a recommendation added by Lib- Dem Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon, the report said it was important "appropriate training of the code of conduct is taken up" by Mr Johnson. Leader of the Labour group on the A ssembly Len Duvall said: "Given the foolish, extraordinary and unwise way in which the Mayor acted, some training in how to behave appropriately is the best he could have hoped for."

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "We welcome the unanimous decision of the MPA and overwhelming view of the Assembly Standards committee that the Mayor did not fail to comply with the Code of Conduct of either organisation, that he did not disclose confidential information, improperly confer an advantage or bring his office or authority into disrepute. The Mayor will reflect on the recommendations in the report."