Recent reports claim that the Deputy Mayor for Environment sent emails urging scientists to alter conclusions in their academic work relating to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and LEZ.
The London Assembly believes that such interference risks damaging public confidence in those individuals holding public office, and risks undermining any public support both for this policy and future Mayoral policies.
At a meeting of the Assembly today, the substantive Mayor’s Question Time motion was amended to call for an urgent investigation by the Mayor’s office and Greater London Authority (GLA) into the allegations, with a report within the next six weeks.
Emma Best AM, who proposed the amended substantive motion, said:
“I am concerned by the allegations that Sadiq Khan’s Deputy Mayor attempted to interfere with scientific research by urging scientists to alter conclusions.
“Scientists should always be able to carry out their work free from political pressure and interference.
"If the Mayor’s office has unduly attempted to interfere with independent scientific work, then this could undermine trust and confidence in this policy and future Mayoral policies.
"I’m grateful for the cross-party support on this motion. There now must be an urgent investigation into these serious allegations.”
Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who seconded the amended substantive motion, said:
"Any report of politicians applying political pressure to change the outcome of a scientific report should worry anyone in a democratic society.
“Political interference in academia would risk undermining the public’s trust both in politics, politicians and legitimate scientific studies.
“If any political interference has indeed taken place by members of the Greater London Authority, then we believe it risks undermining any public support both for this policy and future Mayoral policies.
“That is why we have brought forward this amendment which calls for an investigation into this case in order to ascertain whether these allegations are true or not.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly notes in particular the answers to the questions regarding emails sent by the Deputy Mayor for Environment urging scientists to alter conclusions in their academic work relating to ULEZ and LEZ.
This Assembly believes that in a democracy, scientific and academic studies should always be free of political pressure and interference. The Assembly recognises the value of scientific method, evidence and analysis in informing policy and supports the independence of scientists to work freely and without undue influence.
This Assembly believes that such interference risks damaging public confidence in those individuals holding public office, and risks undermining any public support both for this policy and future Mayoral policies.
This Assembly is concerned by these allegations of undue interference and calls for an urgent investigation by the Mayor’s Office and GLA into these allegations with a report to the Assembly within the next six weeks.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed by 13 votes for and 10 votes against.
- Emma Best AM, who proposed the amended substantive motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Emma Bowden on 07849 303 897. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.