Norris says criticism of his Jarvis link is 'froth'

Tory mayoral challenger Steve Norris today dismissed the row over his business career and admitted he earns hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.

Mr Norris said he had nothing to be ashamed of in continuing a part-time job as chairman of rail company Jarvis in the runup to June's elections. He is thought to earn £100,000 for a one-day week with a company that could benefit from transport funding decisions he could make as Mayor.

But he told The Times today that his willingness to keep working was a sign he should be taken seriously. He said he had "about nine" business interests, and added: "It is much more profitable than being Mayor."

He would not reveal his earnings in total other than claiming they were "several times those of the Mayor".

The current mayoral salary is £110,430. Mr Norris said criticism of his appointment at Jarvis last year was "extraordinarily misplaced froth", adding: "I read that it was evidence of my lack of commitment as the mayor or that I did not regard myself as likely to win.

"Had I resigned completely from the board the words 'rat' and 'sinking ship' would have appeared in the same sentence."