Mayor spends £8k on one night at the Academy

Boris Johnson was today accused of wasting taxpayers' money after hiring Brixton Academy for an event which has previously attracted only 350 people. 

The Mayor has spent £8,000 on the 5,000-capacity venue for People's Question Time, but the highest turnout for his Q&A evenings was 870. The last event, in Greenwich, attracted between 860 and 870 people, said a London Assembly spokeswoman. But one in Croydon two months ago was attended by just 350. A spokesman for the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "This venue is clearly too large and too expensive."

A spokeswoman for the Mayor said: "Since the Mayor was elected, more than 4,000 people have attended these public meetings. The meetings allow Londoners to hear from the Mayor and Assembly about their plans, priorities and policies for London and also voice their concerns."

Tickets for the 9 November event are free but limited to six per application.