News that Bob Kiley, the Mayor’s former Transport guru, has admitted to having a drink problem and his comment that he doesn’t do much for the retainer London pays him have excited a number of news outlets and the odd Assembly Member.
Despite their conflation in some of media coverage the two issues are wholly separate and the first warrants no further comment save to wish Mr Kiley well in dealing with this matter.
The £737,500-a-year consultancy fee paid to Kiley guarantees London access to one of the world’s most recognised transport experts. It’s the nature of consultancy agreements that the knowledge and expertise being paid for may not be used, not unlike an insurance policy.
Too often commentators and certain AM’s seem to adopt the position that London should settle for second best, the ongoing reactions to Kiley’s pay and benefits package is just another example of this.
