GLA threatens to block 'Ken's cronies'

Ken Livingstone's London Assembly is threatening to block his plan to promote his closest political advisers to top jobs, it was claimed today.

Members of the appointments committee fear that if the six advisers become executive directors, the Mayor will abuse his authority by giving his "friends" control over officials.

The Mayor insists the posts will be advertised, but aides say he has no intention of giving the jobs to anyone other than advisers John Ross, Redmond O'Neill, Joy Johnson, Neale Coleman, Lee Jasper and John Duffy.

An anonymous email circulating in the assembly accused some advisers of "abysmal grasp of basic management techniques" and of bullying officers. An assembly insider said: "We'll stop what we see as an abuse of Ken's power."

Trevor Phillips, Labour member of the committee, said: "It's our job to ensure GLA staff serve Londoners and are not just a private think tank for the Mayor."