"LIVINGSTONE TRIAL EXPENSIVE AND UNNECESSARY"- TUFFREY

1.43.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 19th Oct 2006

Commenting on the verdict that the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has won the High Court appeal against the charge of bringing his office into disrepute, Liberal Democrat leader on the London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey, said:

'This case has proved expensive and unnecessary. The Mayor should clearly never have said what he said in the first place.

'Ken Livingstone's extensive legal costs will ultimately be picked up by the taxpayer, money that would have been better spent on more police on the streets.

'Let us hope the Mayor will now reflect on his actions and think twice next time he opens his mouth." ENDS