'Mayor puts profits before models' well-being' - Dee Doocey AM

11.57.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th Sep 2008

Commenting on the Mayor's refusal to pressure the LDA to cease the funding of the BFC, Dee Doocey AM, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, says: "I'm utterly shocked the Mayor thinks more of big business profits than the health and well-being of these models.

"The models seen on London's catwalks during the Fashion Week are idolised by many young girls and it now seems the Mayor sees nothing wrong with these impressionable girls being lead to believe that a waif-like, malnourished figure is desirable.

Responding to Dee Doocey's question at Mayor Question Time on Wednesday Mayor Johnson said he would not force the LDA to end its funding of the BFC. He said great progress had already been made on initiatives to help ensure the well being of the models and that model health certificates would be too much of an imposition.

Dee explained to the Mayor how in Milan and Madrid ultra-thin models had already been outlawed without any detrimental effect on the success of their fashion weeks which prompted the Mayor to agree to further discussions with Dee.

"I'm pleased the Mayor has agreed to meet with me with an open mind to see how this problem could be resolved but I'm very disappointed he's clearly demonstrated funding agreements with the LDA aren't worth the paper they are written on.

"I'm not beaten and will keep up the pressure on the Mayor, the LDA and the BFC until we see the last of skeletal models on London's catwalks" says Dee.