Johnson evidence 'deep concerns'

Mr Johnson has been asked to clarify his version of events

The influential Commons Home Affairs committee of MPs has said it has "deep concerns" about evidence it was given by London mayor Boris Johnson.

Its chairman, Labour MP Keith Vaz, has written to the Tory mayor saying the committee was also concerned about the "level of respect and courtesy shown".

Mr Vaz accuses Mr Johnson of giving four different accounts of events ahead of Tory MP Damian Green's arrest.

He says the committee unanimously wants clarification of timings.

The committee hearing last week saw the London mayor - who also heads the Metropolitan Police Authority - pressed over when he first spoke to Conservative David Cameron about the arrest of Mr Green during a Home Office leaks inquiry.

As chairman of the police authority, Mr Johnson was told about the arrest in advance, but he insists he only spoke to Mr Green and his party leader David Cameron after Mr Green's arrest.

He told the home affairs select committee he had a "perfunctory" conversation with Mr Cameron at about 1500 GMT at the service for murdered teenager Damilola Taylor at Southwark Cathedral on 27 November, the day of the arrest.

'Instantly informed'

But after giving evidence to the select committee, Mr Johnson is understood to have recalled that he had spoken to Mr Cameron by telephone three hours earlier than their Southwark Cathedral encounter.

Committee chairman Keith Vaz wrote to Mr Johnson to ask him to clarify his account.

In his letter, Mr Vaz said: "After the completion of the session you approached me and told me that you had contacted David Cameron earlier at 12 noon and you mentioned the words 'Ladbroke Grove Station'."

He asked if there was any further evidence Mr Johnson wanted to put before the committee.

In a statement Mr Johnson's spokesman replied: "The mayor made it clear to the select committee that he had spoken to David Cameron, but that he could not remember the exact details of when and where the conversation had taken place.

"He promised to check the facts at the earliest opportunity and did so - consulting a senior member of staff immediately after the hearing. He then instantly informed the chairman in the committee corridor of the Commons and then briefed the press present.

"He has now written to the chairman confirming that a brief telephone conversation took place between him and the leader of the opposition while the mayor was at a press event in west London after they had both been independently told of the arrest of Damian Green.

"This does not in any way alter the evidence given by the mayor."

Mr Green, the shadow immigration minister, was arrested as part of an inquiry into leaks from the Home Office. He denies any wrongdoing.