'London's evidently harder to run than private business' - Mike Tuffrey

1.20.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 19th Aug 2008

Commenting on the news that Mayor Johnson has lost his First Deputy Mayor Tim Parker Mike Tuffrey AM, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group at the London Assembly, says: "To lose one advisor is unfortunate, to lose two is careless but to lose three in four months shows the wheels are coming off this new administration."

Mayor Johnson was due to hand over the role of chair of Transport for London to Tim Parker next month but announced today he believes his personal involvement is crucial to being an effective Mayor and to ensure appropriate democratic accountability to the people of London.

The Mayor's office has announced Tim Parker will remain on the board and advise the Mayor on the reform and improvement of London transport.

Mike Tuffrey added: "Why is Boris losing yet another advisor? Has Tim Parker discovered that running London isn't as easy as running private business?"