KEN LIVINGSTONE has accused Boris Johnson of being a “pickpocket” in a new series of adverts set to appear in the media in the run-up to May’s Mayoral election.


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“Londoner’s pockets are being picked the Tory mayor’s latest bus, Tube and train fare increases,” said a spokesperson for Livingstone.

“Last week, millions of Londoners were hit by Boris Johnson’s fourth fare increase in four years.

“The cost of a single bus ticket has gone up 50%; a weekly bus and tram pass is up 45%, costing Londoners £301 a year more; and a zone 1-5 Travelcard is up 20%, costing Londoners £457 a year more.”

Featuring a shadowy figure with Johnson’s trademark messy hair slipping his hand into the bag of an ‘everyman’ commuter, the ads come complete with the slogan, “Beware: pickpocket operating on London Transport”.

The advert is more evidence that Livingstone has decided to make Johnson’s unpopular fare increases the centrepiece of his campaign, a tactic followed by Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick.

“For the fourth year in a row Boris Johnson has racked up fares by far more than the rate of inflation,” said Paddick, echoing the Livingstone line.

“It’s time to take a new approach.”