London Assembly members have accused Boris Johnson of wasting time after he replaced Daniel Moylan as Chair of the London Legacy Development Corporation just three months after appointing Mr Moylan to the role.
Daniel Moylan was appointed to the LLDC following the Mayor’s re-election in May.
At the time of the appointment Mayor Johnson said: “I am sure there is no better man than Daniel Moylan to ensure every possible ounce of benefit for Londoners is squeezed out of our Olympic legacy.”
However in a statement announcing that he would now chair the LLDC himself, Johnson said: “Securing the future of the Olympic and Paralympic legacy and building on the regeneration of east London is a matter of huge importance to me personally.
“It is vital that I continue to be at the forefront of the decision-making, driving forward the huge task of delivery. The chairmanship of the LLDC will enable me to do just that, building on what has already been achieved.”
Mr Moylan will now lead a new City Hall aviation unit, despite air travel not being a policy area devolved to the Mayor.
London Assembly Member John Biggs said Moylan’s departure changes meant “the last three months under his tenure have essentially been wasted.”
Assembly Members have also criticised the Mayor for ignoring the recommendation of a London Assembly confirmation hearing which said Mayor should not appoint Mr Moylan to the LLDC because AMs “did not consider that he had demonstrated sufficient knowledge and experience in the area of regeneration which was crucial to this role”.
In his response to the committee’s recommendation the Mayor said: “I remain of the view that his strong leadership skills combined with his commitment to a well-designed and economically sustainable Olympic Park mean that he is very well placed to undertake this role.”
The Mayor added: “I do not agree with your committee’s view that detailed regeneration knowledge is crucial to this role.”
Green party AM Darren Johnson said: “I am worried that Olympic Park legacy will become a bog standard mix of concrete & tarmac unless the Mayor immediately appoints some senior people who have real experience of delivering imaginative regeneration projects.
“He recently lost two of the key people in charge of the project. He also appointed Daniel Moylan against the advice of the London Assembly’s confirmation panel, who criticised Mr Moylan’s lack of regeneration experience. London expects an amazing legacy to follow an amazing Olympics and Paralympics. I hope the Mayor will take the Assembly’s advice.”
Mr Biggs commented: “When Mr Moylan was appointed we had serious reservations about his lack of regeneration experience and voted against his appointment. It appears our concerns have been borne out.
“It is a shame the mayor did not take our concerns on board, let’s hope when he makes a new appointment he listens to our views and avoid a repeat of this unfortunate episode.”
