John Ross, Ken Livingstone's senior economic adviser Ground: The Politics Show
JOHN ROSS was agitated yesterday when he appeared on The Politics Show seemingly with the promise that he would be able to talk about something other than the allegations of misconduct against aide Lee Jasper.
Despite his efforts to talk about Boris Johnson and the row over Routemasters, the senior mayoral adviser was continually shouted down by presenter Tim Donovan. He said: "You said you were going to let me talk about other things, let me deal with the general context. You are attempting to divert the interest of London away from the most important matters."
Mr Ross came to the forefront of the Ken Livingstone campaign after he was forced to answer to the London Assembly on Wednesday. Mr Jasper had been due to be questioned, but resigned the day before. The Mayor refused to attend so Mr Ross and Simon Fletcher, the Mayor's chief of staff, faced scrutiny. Yesterday Mr Ross repeated that Mr Jasper had broken the GLA's code of conduct. He also said he agreed with Mr Livingstone's pledge to bring back Mr Jasper if he is cleared of all wrongdoing.
CAMPAIGN CAPERS
ALTHOUGH Tory candidate Boris Johnson describes himself racially as "a one man melting pot" researchers for the television show Who Do You Think You Are? may have found otherwise.
Mr Johnson claims his great-great grandmother was a Russian slave bought by his great-great grandfather. But the BBC says despite extensive research they have been unable to find any evidence.
Responding to the claims yesterday, Mr Johnson said: "There's no written evidence for that because if you think about early 19th century Anatolian times such contracts were rarely written. Certainly my family doesn't possess them."
