TELLING TRACEY ABOUT CRYSTAL PALACE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH - HUGHES

12.27.54pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 20th Feb 2004

Commenting on the announcement by Mayor Livingstone to Tracey on a radio talk show that the future of Crystal Palace is to get the go-ahead, Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes said: "The redevelopment and investment into Crystal Palace is excellent news for sport in South London and will enable it to continue to attract world class events.

"However, for the Mayor to try to take all the glory for himself by announcing this to Tracey on a radio chat show rather than alongside Bromley Council and Sport England beggars belief. Mr Livingstone should be announcing this fantastic news side by side those who have worked so hard to the secure agreement and not just telling Tracey."

ENDS

PHONE IN: QUESTIONS TO KEN

BBC LONDON 94.9 FM DRIVETIME

19-Feb-2004 17:05:00

17:15:58 to 17:18:57

PHONE IN:

QUESTIONS TO KEN - Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London is live in the studio.

CALLER: TRACEY - tell us the future of CRYSTAL PALACE.

INTERVIEW: KEN LIVINGSTONE - we have agreed a deal between BROMLEY COUNCIL and SPORT ENGLAND. The contract will be completed. It will be kept open. The deal has been done. The whole site will be transfered over to me. SPORT ENGLAND and BROMLEY COUNCIL will cover the lease ownership of the park to be transfered to the GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY. BROMLEY COUNCIL have been very supportive and so have SPORT ENGLAND. It is a complex document. Whether we will have 199 year lease or whether it is transfered to the GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY, a new sports centre may be built next to Crystal Palace railway station. By bringing in good managers and paying good money, they do deliver projects on time and to budget.

Duncan Borrowman's press release on Crystal Palace, 13th January

http://www.bromleylibdems.org.uk/story.php?id=72