Boris Johnson has confirmed that Labour MP Kate Hoey would join his administration as a non-executive Director advising on sport and the Olympics should he become Mayor later this week.
Ina statement issued this morning Mr Johnson said
Commenting on the announcement, Boris Johnson said ms Hoey and he ” I agree that there is much more that can be done to promote sport and to develop sporting facilities across London.”
“I have already pledged to ring-fence London Development Agency money for sport, and if I am lucky enough to win she will be working on an agenda that includes protecting playing fields, boosting sports clubs and making sure that London’s kids all benefit from the Olympics.”
“Kate has a huge and well-known commitment to sport and to London, and I am determined to bring talent from across politics and the community to a new administration.”
Update: In a statement kate Hoey has said “The key part of the Boris Johnson statement – ie that I will be the first member of his administration – is wrong.”
Instead Ms hoey says she has “simply agreed to act in a similar position, for example to Conservative MPs John Bercow and Patrick Mercer – in that I have said that I will advise on a non-partisan basis in respect of my lifetime commitment to bringing sport to the people of London.”
“This is not an endorsement of Boris Johnson for mayor. I will be voting for my party and Labour candidates on Thursday.”
