Ken attacked over 'propaganda' magazine

Ken Livingstone was today accused of squandering taxpayers' money to boost his image.

The Mayor faced criticism over £3.5million that has been spent on his monthly magazine, The Londoner. Opposition politicians also discovered that £1.5million of the funding comes from Transport for London.

The row came ahead of a budget committee meeting at the London Assembly today. UK Independence Party member Damien Hockney will also question the amount of money spent on the Mayor's offices in Brussels-Mr Hockney said: "The money spent on The Londoner should be spent on professional media, not on a propaganda sheet few appear to want.

"And on London House in Brussels, why are we paying £600,000 a year when London has nine MEPs - or does Ken accept that MEPs have no power and little influence?"

Mr Livingstone says the magazine is an effective way of telling Londoners about GLA activities.