Key information
Request reference number: MGLA050324-8050
Date of response:
Summary of request
Your request
- A copy of the internal report detailing why, in August 2023, the photograph of a white family and caption 'Doesn’t represent real Londoners' was put on the Mayor’s website. If no report has been produced, please provide an explanation of the reason why the photo and caption was put on the website.
- Provide an explanation as to why a member of the Mayor’s staff needed to make such a potentially racist comment in the course of his duties.
- Provide conformation that the staff member involved in this incident has been provided with additional training in respect of the need for racial equality, especially in respect of the white population of London, who it seems were not considered 'real Londoners'.
- Provide a copy of the Mayor’s statement in respect of this incident, together with an explanation as to what measures he has put in place to ensure that such potentially racist comments will not be repeated and a copy of the Mayor’s apology in respect of this incident.
Our response
Question 1
The GLA does not hold information within the scope of your request
The photo caption you refer to was added by a staff member in error, and doesn’t reflect the view of the Mayor or the GLA. The document has now been taken off the GLA website and is being reviewed to ensure the language and guidance is appropriate. The Mayor is not involved in the review of GLA branding and design guideline documents.
Question 2
The GLA established that the caption was an error by a member of staff. The GLA does not hold any further information within the scope of your request.
Question 3
The GLA does not hold information within the scope of your request.
Question 4
I can confirm that the GLA holds some information within the scope of your request.
The GLA has checked records and we have not located a statement or apology by the Mayor of London on this matter.
However, the Mayor’s Press Office issued a statement in the summer of 2023. I have provided a copy below.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said:
‘The photo caption was added by a staff member in error, and doesn’t reflect the view of the Mayor or the Greater London Authority. The document has now been taken off the GLA website and is being reviewed to ensure the language and guidance is appropriate.’
If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact us, quoting reference MGLA050324-8050.