Ken Livingstone has issued a statement following media reports concerning the employment of Mohammed Kamel Mostafa, son of Abu Hamza, by a London Underground subcontractor:
“In this country a person cannot be sacked for what their parents do. It is the actions of Mohammed Kamel Mostafa himself which are relevant.
However, Mr Mostafa has convictions in Yemen. These must be taken into account. They should have been brought to light by those doing the security checks, the failure to do so must be investigated. As he failed to declare these to the subcontractor they are correct to dismiss him.’
The Mayor added:
“I was not aware of this man’s convictions at the time of my press conference this morning, only of his family.
It is clear that anyone who has been involved in terrorism in any form cannot be employed on the London Underground”