Boris Johnson denies knowledge of plan to scrap police community support officers

Boris Johnson has been both mayor of London and an MP since May's general election

The mayor of London has said he was not aware the Metropolitan Police was considering scrapping Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

The Met confirmed on 9 September it was looking at plans to cut 1,000 posts altogether.

But at mayor's question time on Wednesday Boris Johnson told assembly members the proposal had not been discussed with him.

Labour's policing spokeswoman Joanne McCartney said she was "astonished".

The move to axe PCSOs is part of cost-cutting measures to be discussed at the Met's next Management Board meeting.

'Not true'

Ms McCartney opened by saying: "If they were all cut that would be a loss of 400 BME [Black and minority ethnic] officers, which would be a retrograde step. Were you aware of these plans and do you support it?"

Mr Johnson responded: "I haven't seen that proposal, I'm not aware of it... It's certainly not something that's been discussed with me."

Ms McCartney went on to say: "I'm absolutely astonished you have not heard about this given you are the elected police and crime commissioner."

Mr Johnson, who since May has also been the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, countered: "It may be that the reason for that is that it's simply not true," apparently under the impression that the source for the claim was a Labour Party press release.

'Luddites'

The question session got off to a rowdy start as the fraught exchange on PCSOs was followed by heckling from members of the public in the gallery, which led to the sitting being suspended.

Black cab drivers who were in attendance, intending to express concerns about car hire app Uber, became angry when Mr Johnson used the term "Luddites" to refer to critics of electric, zero-emission vehicles.

The taxi drivers began heckling the mayor and chair Tony Arbour adjourned the meeting.

The session later resumed in a basement room at City Hall.