Standards Board rejects Arbour complaint over 'riff raff' comments

Date: 5th November 2007

The Standards Board for England has decided not to refer a complaint from London Assembly member Tony Arbour, against the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, for investigation, and has said the Mayor is ‘entitled to make such statements'.

Tony Arbour complained after Ken Livingstone issued a statement on 28 September 2007 criticising Tony Arbour for equating social rented housing to, ‘housing for riff-raff', http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=13876

The comments attributed to Tony Arbour have also been criticised by local politicians in Richmond.

In a ruling, the Standards Board for England stated that ‘it was considered that, as a prominent local politician, Mr Livingstone is entitled to issue such statements.'

Ken Livingstone said today:

"Tony Arbour is one of several London Assembly members who opposes the affordable housing policies that are seeing increased numbers of affordable homes being built in London.

‘Tony Arbour opposes the policy that half of all new homes in London should be affordable. His comments equating social rented housing to 'housing for riff-raff' were made while he opposed the sale of a council owned site to a housing association, which would provide more affordable housing.

‘Providing affordable homes for Londoners is not providing housing for "riff raff" but addressing one of the most important issues facing our city."

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