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Mayor called to account over Cuba Mayor called to account over Cuba
(about 8 hours later)
The London Assembly has called for detailed accounts of the meetings the London Mayor Ken Livingstone had with government officials in Cuba.The London Assembly has called for detailed accounts of the meetings the London Mayor Ken Livingstone had with government officials in Cuba.
The request was made after it was revealed that the mayor's trip - and the cancelled Venezuelan leg of it - cost nearly £36,000.The request was made after it was revealed that the mayor's trip - and the cancelled Venezuelan leg of it - cost nearly £36,000.
The mayor said he was invited to Cuba by the British Olympic Committee. The mayor said he had been invited to Cuba by the British Olympic Committee.
He added he met with Cuba's trade, economic and foreign affairs ministers to discuss the US trade embargo.He added he met with Cuba's trade, economic and foreign affairs ministers to discuss the US trade embargo.
Oil dealOil deal
A breakdown of costs for the trip revealed that the mayor and four officials stopped in Cuba, at a cost of about £20,000, including £16,991 in flight tickets.A breakdown of costs for the trip revealed that the mayor and four officials stopped in Cuba, at a cost of about £20,000, including £16,991 in flight tickets.
However, Mr Livingstone, said he felt the cost of the trip was "modest".However, Mr Livingstone, said he felt the cost of the trip was "modest".
His plans to visit Venezuela to sign an oil deal following a meeting with President Hugo Chavez fell through.His plans to visit Venezuela to sign an oil deal following a meeting with President Hugo Chavez fell through.
Although he returned from Cuba, he left his officials to go on to Venezuela. A breakdown revealed that this took place at a cost of nearly £16,000, including £12,948 on flights.Although he returned from Cuba, he left his officials to go on to Venezuela. A breakdown revealed that this took place at a cost of nearly £16,000, including £12,948 on flights.
I will have to go to the airport, which I hate, have a long flight, which I loathe, and rush back as soon as possible Ken Livingstone Liberal Democrat leader on the London Assembly Mike Tuffrey said: "The mayor's explanation for his trip to Cuba does not wash.I will have to go to the airport, which I hate, have a long flight, which I loathe, and rush back as soon as possible Ken Livingstone Liberal Democrat leader on the London Assembly Mike Tuffrey said: "The mayor's explanation for his trip to Cuba does not wash.
"He can protest as much as he likes but this trip has cost London taxpayers at least £35,000 - all so he could attend, for less than 20 minutes, a minor meeting at an IOC conference."He can protest as much as he likes but this trip has cost London taxpayers at least £35,000 - all so he could attend, for less than 20 minutes, a minor meeting at an IOC conference.
"And what is so far uncosted in this whole exercise is the amount of staff time involved in arranging his useless trip to Latin America.""And what is so far uncosted in this whole exercise is the amount of staff time involved in arranging his useless trip to Latin America."
The London Assembly want to know exactly what Mr Livingstone's reasons for going to Cuba were, along with an explanation for the level of costs incurred.The London Assembly want to know exactly what Mr Livingstone's reasons for going to Cuba were, along with an explanation for the level of costs incurred.
On Tuesday, defending his trip Mr Livingstone said: "Of course I'm not happy. I will have to go separately to Venezuela when I open the office there.On Tuesday, defending his trip Mr Livingstone said: "Of course I'm not happy. I will have to go separately to Venezuela when I open the office there.
"I will miss my kids. I will have to go to the airport, which I hate, have a long flight, which I loathe, and rush back as soon as possible."I will miss my kids. I will have to go to the airport, which I hate, have a long flight, which I loathe, and rush back as soon as possible.
"I suspect it is just the problem of scheduling. I regret it. I look forward to meeting President Chavez again as soon as possible.""I suspect it is just the problem of scheduling. I regret it. I look forward to meeting President Chavez again as soon as possible."