This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7883013.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Johnson evidence 'deep concerns' Johnson evidence 'deep concerns'
(about 3 hours later)
The influential Commons Home Affairs committee of MPs has said it has "deep concerns" about evidence it was given by London mayor Boris Johnson.The influential Commons Home Affairs committee of MPs has said it has "deep concerns" about evidence it was given by London mayor Boris Johnson.
Its chairman, Labour MP Keith Vaz, has written to the Tory mayor saying the committee was also concerned about the "level of respect and courtesy shown".Its chairman, Labour MP Keith Vaz, has written to the Tory mayor saying the committee was also concerned about the "level of respect and courtesy shown".
Mr Vaz accuses Mr Johnson of giving four different accounts of events ahead of Tory MP Damian Green's arrest.Mr Vaz accuses Mr Johnson of giving four different accounts of events ahead of Tory MP Damian Green's arrest.
He says the committee unanimously wants clarification of timings. Mr Johnson has now written back to Mr Vaz to provide more details.
He said he had fully co-operated with the committee and regretted suggestions to the contrary.
The committee hearing last week saw the London mayor - who also heads the Metropolitan Police Authority - pressed over when he first spoke to Conservative David Cameron about the arrest of Mr Green during a Home Office leaks inquiry.The committee hearing last week saw the London mayor - who also heads the Metropolitan Police Authority - pressed over when he first spoke to Conservative David Cameron about the arrest of Mr Green during a Home Office leaks inquiry.
I made a special effort to get these phone records for you as soon as possible Boris Johnson letter to the Home Affairs Select Committee
As chairman of the police authority, Mr Johnson was told about the arrest in advance, but he insists he only spoke to Mr Green and his party leader David Cameron after Mr Green's arrest.As chairman of the police authority, Mr Johnson was told about the arrest in advance, but he insists he only spoke to Mr Green and his party leader David Cameron after Mr Green's arrest.
He told the home affairs select committee he had a "perfunctory" conversation with Mr Cameron at about 1500 GMT at the service for murdered teenager Damilola Taylor at Southwark Cathedral on 27 November, the day of the arrest.He told the home affairs select committee he had a "perfunctory" conversation with Mr Cameron at about 1500 GMT at the service for murdered teenager Damilola Taylor at Southwark Cathedral on 27 November, the day of the arrest.
'Instantly informed'
But after giving evidence to the select committee, Mr Johnson is understood to have recalled that he had spoken to Mr Cameron by telephone three hours earlier than their Southwark Cathedral encounter.But after giving evidence to the select committee, Mr Johnson is understood to have recalled that he had spoken to Mr Cameron by telephone three hours earlier than their Southwark Cathedral encounter.
Committee chairman Keith Vaz wrote to Mr Johnson to ask him to clarify his account.Committee chairman Keith Vaz wrote to Mr Johnson to ask him to clarify his account.
In his letter, Mr Vaz said: "After the completion of the session you approached me and told me that you had contacted David Cameron earlier at 12 noon and you mentioned the words 'Ladbroke Grove Station'."In his letter, Mr Vaz said: "After the completion of the session you approached me and told me that you had contacted David Cameron earlier at 12 noon and you mentioned the words 'Ladbroke Grove Station'."
He asked if there was any further evidence Mr Johnson wanted to put before the committee.He asked if there was any further evidence Mr Johnson wanted to put before the committee.
In a statement Mr Johnson's spokesman replied: "The mayor made it clear to the select committee that he had spoken to David Cameron, but that he could not remember the exact details of when and where the conversation had taken place. 'No disrespect'
"He promised to check the facts at the earliest opportunity and did so - consulting a senior member of staff immediately after the hearing. He then instantly informed the chairman in the committee corridor of the Commons and then briefed the press present. In response, Mr Johnson said that his phone records for that day showed that he spoke to Mr Cameron at 1359 GMT.
"He has now written to the chairman confirming that a brief telephone conversation took place between him and the leader of the opposition while the mayor was at a press event in west London after they had both been independently told of the arrest of Damian Green. "Please be assured that I mean no disrespect to the committee and I made a special effort to attend last week on a busy day and to get these phone records for you as soon as possible," he said in a letter to Mr Vaz.
"This does not in any way alter the evidence given by the mayor." He added that he hoped "this concludes the matter".
Mr Johnson's spokeswoman said that the mayor had "gone out of his way to co-operate fully with the committee".
Referring to his appearance before the committee, she said: "When we was asked about the timing of a phone conversation with David Cameron, the Mayor made it clear this was a perfunctory discussion which took place after Mr Green's arrest.
"The Mayor was unable to recall from memory the exact time of the phone call and told the committee he would check.
"He did this straight after the session ended and immediately told the committee chairman. Mr Vaz requested the information in writing and the Mayor regards it as unfortunate that, before he could respond, Mr Vaz suggested via the media that the Mayor had been uncooperative.
"When it became clear the committee wanted a more detailed account of the timing of the phone call, the Mayor instructed his staff to obtain his phone records."
This did "not in any way alter the evidence" given by the mayor, she added.
Mr Green, the shadow immigration minister, was arrested as part of an inquiry into leaks from the Home Office. He denies any wrongdoing.Mr Green, the shadow immigration minister, was arrested as part of an inquiry into leaks from the Home Office. He denies any wrongdoing.